The joint plan for deorbiting the International Space Station has received formal approval from international space agency partners, involving two Russian Progress cargo ships and a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, according to Roscosmos. The agency confirmed that the primary guidance and propulsion duties will be divided between U.S. and Russian spacecraft, ensuring a controlled and safe termination of the station’s orbital lifespan.
Roscosmos announced that the station’s targeted orbital descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process anticipated to last around two years. This approach will utilize natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions via existing propulsion systems, and a final precise re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition framework states that the crew will return to Earth before the final burn is executed by mission operators. The maneuver aims to direct remaining debris into a remote ocean zone, minimizing risks to individuals and property, rather than permitting an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit at the end of operations.
A bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States is also in the works to define how Roscosmos and NASA will apportion responsibilities during the deorbit operation. NASA describes safe disposal as a shared duty among the five agencies managing the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the program specifies the vehicle configuration, the bilateral document will detail operational accountability throughout the multi-stage deorbit process. Under NASA’s published sequence, no crew members will be aboard for the final re-entry burn.
Responsibility for Safe Disposal Shared by Five Agencies
In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to develop and supply the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after analyses revealed that existing station propulsion and Progress ships alone lacked sufficient margin for a controlled re-entry. An assessment by the U.S. Government Accountability Office published in July 2026 stated NASA established 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’s workforce expenses necessary for spacecraft certification and station docking operations. The vehicle’s readiness for delivery is planned for October 2028, with a launch targeted for mid-2029.
The U.S. craft integrates a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft fitted for rendezvous and docking, complemented by a larger trunk housing the propulsion system needed for descent. Modifications to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array configuration have been included, according to the GAO. The vehicle is scheduled to dock with the station roughly 18 months prior to re-entry and will remain attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the spacecraft, while its Launch Services Program will separately procure the rocket needed to place it into orbit and reach the station.
Deorbit Process Will Span Approximately Two Years
Since beginning assembly in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. It weighs about 430,000 kilograms, covers an area comparable to a football field, and operates in low Earth orbit at approximately 415 kilometers altitude. The station’s systems are interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles handle reboosts, debris-avoidance maneuvers, and attitude control, whereas U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation. These interconnected systems form the basis of the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, necessitating extensive coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current plan prioritizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated the agency is considering a 2027 review to decide whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations. Structural analyses support the station’s operation until 2028, with ongoing evaluations for the subsequent period. As part of the multinational program disclosed by Roscosmos, the orbital descent is scheduled to commence in 2028 and last approximately two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.