An international coalition of space agencies has officially agreed on a comprehensive plan for the controlled deorbit of the International Space Station, involving two Russian Progress cargo ships and a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, confirmed that primary guidance and propulsion duties will be divided between American and Russian spacecraft to ensure a safe and controlled end to the station’s operational life in orbit.
Roscosmos stated that the station’s descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process expected to span roughly two years. The plan combines natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reduction using existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s transition framework specifies that crew members will return to Earth before the final burn is executed by mission operators. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into an uninhabited ocean region, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than permitting an uncontrolled fall from low Earth orbit at the conclusion of operations.
Additionally, Russia and the U.S. are working on a bilateral agreement to clearly outline responsibilities during the deorbit procedure. NASA emphasizes that safe disposal is a shared duty among the five agencies operating the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. The current program specifies the combination of vehicles, while the forthcoming bilateral agreement will define operational roles and accountability throughout the multiple stages of deorbiting. Under NASA’s published decommissioning sequence, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Five agencies coordinate for secure end-of-life management
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, after studies indicated that the existing station propulsion and Progress spacecraft alone would not have enough margin for a controlled re-entry. An assessment by the U.S. Government Accountability Office published in July 2026 reported that NASA had set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February, including the reported $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA workforce expenses needed to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The target readiness date for delivery is October 2028, with the launch scheduled for mid-2029.
The U.S. vehicle will integrate a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft outfitted for rendezvous and docking, coupled with an expanded trunk housing the necessary propulsion system for descent. Design modifications include enhancements to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array configuration, according to the GAO. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and will remain connected through the final phase. NASA will own and operate it, with the agency’s Launch Services Program procuring the rocket required for orbit insertion and rendezvous.
Deorbit process expected to span about two years
Since its assembly began in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. It has an approximate mass of 430,000 kilograms, covers an area comparable to a football field, and orbits at around 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles handle propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage station orientation during routine operations. These interdependent systems form the foundation of the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, requiring meticulous coordination among all involved agencies.
NASA’s current schedule prioritizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report noted that the agency plans to evaluate whether to proceed with launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations into 2028. NASA’s analyses support operational continuity through 2028, with further reviews planned for the period beyond. According to the multinational deorbit plan disclosed by Roscosmos, descent operations will begin in 2028 and last around two years, culminating in a carefully controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote oceanic area.