MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – Russia and the United States have devised a joint plan to deorbit the International Space Station (ISS), utilizing two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft alongside the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, according to Russia’s state space agency, Roscosmos. The proposal has received approval from all international partners involved in operating the station, establishing the specific flight plan and affirming a collaborative international approach for its controlled decommissioning. The deorbit strategy allocates propulsion and control responsibilities to vehicles managed by the two main partner nations, while also maintaining the broader partnership’s duty to ensure the safe end of the station’s decades-long mission.
Roscosmos indicated that the planned descent of the station will begin in 2028, with the entire deorbit process expected to take roughly two years. The process will involve a combination of natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reduction using existing thrusters, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition plan specifies that crew members will return to Earth before the final, large-scale burn is executed. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into an unpopulated ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than allowing the station to undergo an uncontrolled fall from low Earth orbit at the conclusion of its operational life.
In addition, Russia and the U.S. intend to develop a bilateral agreement that clearly defines how Roscosmos and NASA will share responsibilities during the deorbit operation. NASA emphasizes that safe disposal is a joint obligation among the five agencies managing the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. The current program specifies the vehicle configuration, while the forthcoming bilateral agreement will outline operational accountability between the Russian and American agencies during each stage of the disposal process. Under NASA’s decommissioning schedule, no crew will remain onboard for the final re-entry burn.
Deorbit operations set to commence in 2028
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and provide the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after evaluations showed that the station’s existing propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone did not have enough margin for a controlled re-entry. An assessment published by the U.S. Government Accountability Office in July 2026 reported that NASA established a cost baseline of $1.2 billion for the project in February. This figure includes the $843 million contract awarded to SpaceX, future procurement of launch vehicles, and NASA workforce costs required for spacecraft certification and station docking operations. The vehicle’s delivery readiness is targeted for October 2028, with the launch planned for mid-2029.
The U.S.-built vehicle combines a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, adapted for docking and rendezvous, with an enlarged trunk that carries the necessary propulsion system for descent. Design modifications include upgrades to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array setup, as detailed by the GAO. The plan calls for the spacecraft to dock with the station about 18 months prior to re-entry and remain attached through the final phase of deorbiting. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while its Launch Services Program will procure the necessary rocket to deliver it into orbit and reach the station.
Targeting a remote oceanic re-entry footprint for ISS deorbit
Since its assembly began in 1998, the ISS has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. Its total mass is approximately 430,000 kilograms, covering an area roughly equal to a football field, and it orbits at about 415 kilometers above Earth. The station’s systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris-avoidance maneuvers, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes handle routine station orientation. These interconnected systems underpin the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan and require precise coordination among all involved agencies.
NASA’s current transition schedule aims to retire the station and complete re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated that NASA is considering a 2027 review to decide whether to proceed with launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. Structural analyses support continued operation until 2028, with additional evaluations to determine the period beyond that. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the multinational program’s plan begins with orbital lowering in 2028 and spans approximately two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean footprint, ensuring safety and minimizing risk to populated areas.