MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – Roscosmos, the Russian state space agency, announced that international partners have given the green light for a unified spacecraft configuration to facilitate a controlled deorbit of the International Space Station (ISS). This coordinated plan involves two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft working in conjunction with the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, developed by SpaceX. The agreement establishes a collaborative propulsion and navigation approach between Roscosmos and NASA, reinforcing the ongoing international partnership aimed at safely deorbiting the station in a precise manner.
According to Roscosmos, the orbital descent will commence in 2028, with the entire process expected to last around two years. The approach will leverage natural atmospheric drag, deliberate altitude reductions utilizing existing thrusters, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s transition plan indicates that the crew will return to Earth prior to the execution of the final burn. This maneuver is designed to direct any remaining debris into a remote ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than risking an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit once operations conclude.
Plans also include drafting a bilateral agreement to clearly define responsibilities between Roscosmos and NASA during the deorbit operation. NASA emphasizes that the safe disposal of the station is a shared obligation among the five agencies involved in its operation: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the program specifies the vehicle combination, the upcoming bilateral document will delineate operational responsibilities for both Roscosmos and NASA throughout the multi-stage deorbit process. Under NASA’s decommissioning sequence, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Russia and US Collaborate on Space Station Retirement
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and supply the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies revealed that the station’s existing propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft did not provide enough margin for a controlled re-entry. A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, published in July 2026, stated that NASA set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February. This figure includes the reported $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA workforce expenses necessary to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle is scheduled to be ready for delivery by October 2028, with a planned launch in mid-2029 for the mission.
The U.S. vehicle integrates a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, equipped for rendezvous and docking, with an enlarged trunk carrying the propulsion system needed for descent. Design modifications include upgrades to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the solar-array configuration on the trunk, as detailed in the GAO report. The plan involves docking the spacecraft with the station approximately 18 months before re-entry, where it will remain attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while its Launch Services Program will procure the rocket to place it into orbit and reach the station.
Crew Will Depart Prior to Final Re-entry
Since assembly began in 1998, the International Space Station has hosted a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station, with a mass around 430,000 kilograms, spans an area comparable to a football field and operates in low Earth orbit at approximately 415 kilometers altitude. Its systems are interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation tasks. These interconnected systems underpin the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan and require close coordination among participating agencies.
NASA’s current transition plan aims to decommission the station and execute re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated that NASA is considering a 2027 assessment to decide whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. The agency’s analyses support continued operation through 2028, with further evaluations planned for the period beyond that. Under the multinational program disclosed by Roscosmos, orbital lowering will begin in 2028 and span roughly two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.