Originally Posted by
ORAC
The temperature bounds for these seals is very known. What is unknown is how much those bounds can be violated further, if at all, on a vehicle in orbit where their current state and degradation can’t be inspected, with significant temperature violations prior in the mission, while still guaranteeing sufficient performance/reliability to carry crew.
Am I right in thinking that this suggests that it would be safe for the Starliner to attempt an unmanned return, with any problems likely to occur well away from the Space Station.