NASA is currently trying to study the risks associated with these issues before returning the astronauts ...
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Which, since there must be more than one committee studying this vast & perplexing problem, could take years, Unions willing.
Back in June (and I’m too lazy to look for it) I posted an IMHO that NASA had already determined that the craft wasn’t safe to return the astronauts, but that Boeing didn’t want that outcome.
Boeing’s suits want to keep testing hoping to iron out the craft’s problems, but more delay just means more decay. NASA is allowing it because, well armies of lobbyists, and pressure from the Biden junta. Biden’s FAA put a ridiculous hold on (unmanned) Falcon 9 launches due to an upper stage failure during a satellite launch attempt, Spacex’ first failure in years.
I doubt that the Starliner craft will even survive reentry to the extent that there will be wreckage to analyze, so the only time to get data will be while it’s still docked, and/or in independent orbit with no one aboard.
Ultimately I think that’s what will be the outcome — Boeing doesn’t want a big public failure during unmanned reentry, and will just let it float by itself. When the data stream indicates that complete vehicle failure is imminent, it’ll be told to ditch in an empty stretch of the Pacific. That’ll be months from now.
That way, Boeing will claim this as a “successful failure” and crow about crew safety being paramount.