MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – Roscosmos, Russia’s national space agency, has confirmed that partners worldwide have greenlit a joint mission plan to guide the International Space Station (ISS) through a carefully controlled re-entry. This coordinated deorbiting effort involves two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft alongside the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, built by SpaceX. The agreement establishes shared responsibilities for propulsion and navigation between Roscosmos and NASA, reinforcing the international partnership necessary for the safe decommissioning of the station.
The process to gradually lower the station’s orbit is scheduled to commence in 2028 and is expected to span roughly two years. Roscosmos outlined that this will involve natural atmospheric drag, deliberate altitude reductions utilizing existing thrusters, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition framework specifies that crew members will evacuate before the final burn is performed. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into an uninhabited ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, instead of allowing an uncontrolled descent at the end of the station’s operational life.
Furthermore, Russia and the United States are working on a bilateral agreement that will clearly define responsibilities during the deorbit process. NASA emphasizes that safe disposal of the station is a shared duty among the five agencies operating it: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. The joint program specifies the vehicle configuration, while the bilateral agreement will clarify operational accountability during each stage of deorbiting. Under NASA’s plan, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Russia and US Join Forces on ISS Decommissioning Plan
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and supply the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after assessments showed that current station propulsion and Progress spacecraft lacked sufficient margin for a controlled re-entry. According to a U.S. Government Accountability Office report published in July 2026, NASA’s cost estimate for the project was set at $1.2 billion in February. This includes the $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA’s costs for certifying the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle is scheduled for delivery by October 2028, with a launch target set for mid-2029.
The U.S. deorbit spacecraft combines a SpaceX Dragon capsule equipped for rendezvous and docking, along with an enlarged trunk capable of carrying the necessary propulsion system for descent. Modifications include upgrades to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar array configuration, according to the GAO. It is expected to dock approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and remain attached during the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will procure the rocket needed to launch it into orbit and reach the station.
Orbital Crew Departure Before Final Re-Entry
Since beginning assembly in 1998, the ISS has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station weighs around 430,000 kilograms, spans an area comparable to a football field, and orbits at roughly 415 kilometers above Earth. Its systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress craft provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes handle routine orientation during normal operations. These interconnected systems are central to the joint deorbit plan and require precise coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule prioritizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated the agency plans to evaluate in 2027 whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations. Structural analyses support ongoing operations through 2028, with additional reviews planned for beyond that. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the international program involves orbital lowering starting in 2028, progressing over approximately two years to culminate in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.