Metafire

Andrei knew the solution as well. "We have all kinds of extra material, good adhesives, pressure sealing equipment. I think we could patch any hole. Even a one meter one, like the one we would make, if we cut away the killer satellite."

The satellite has to maintain line of sight to Earth, or the radio beacon will be cut off. How do you propose cutting it away?

Andrei didn't even have to think about it to respond. "From the inside. From the inside, we can cut and patch ourselves all the way around the satellite, millimeter by millimeter. The tug will not lose pressurization. It depends in part on where the satellite is exactly. But I suspect there is no place on the hull we can't get to. If its on an outer assembly, we just cut the assembly away. We will certainly have a spare. Unless, of course, the satellite is attached to something that feeds the tug's rockets."

"We will have to look. I think we can detach either of two capsules. Probably the one we are in. By moving around the exterior of the colony we can inspect for the exact location of the killer satellite." Jane said.

"Sounds pretty good. Can the two of you be ready after dinner to propose this one?"