Yes they're serious - But they're not sure where they will land? Sure inspire an astronauts confidence. "If we send you off in a paper plane, make sure you take your phone-so you can tell us where you land." Reminds me of how hard it is to find a bottle thrown into the sea. What if it rains?

China may stop the rain for them. Todays silliness may be tomorrows whatever.

I doubt that the "light craft" idea will work with all that life support machinery, supplies, the astronauts themselves, etc.