MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – Russia along with the United States has devised a coordinated strategy to deorbit the International Space Station using two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft in conjunction with the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, according to Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos. All international partners involved in the space laboratory have approved the plan, which confirms the configuration of the upcoming mission and underscores a multinational approach to its phased, controlled end-of-life process. Responsibilities for propulsion and maneuvering have been distributed among vehicles operated by the station’s two primary partners, while the broader international coalition retains oversight of the safe decommissioning of the station that has operated for decades.
Roscosmos stated that the station’s descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process expected to span roughly two years. The deorbit sequence will involve a combination of natural atmospheric drag, deliberate altitude reductions utilizing existing thrusters, and a final precise re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition plan indicates that the crew will return to Earth before the final burn is initiated by mission operators. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into an unpopulated ocean region, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than allowing the station to descend uncontrollably from low Earth orbit as operations conclude.
In addition, Russia and the United States intend to develop a bilateral agreement that will clearly specify how Roscosmos and NASA will share responsibilities during this operation. NASA describes the safe disposal as a joint responsibility 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 defines the vehicle configurations, the upcoming bilateral document will delineate operational duties between Russian and U.S. agencies throughout each stage of the deorbit process. Under NASA’s decommissioning protocol, no crew members will be onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Deorbit Operations to Initiate in 2028
SpaceX was awarded the contract in June 2024 to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies revealed that the current station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone did not have sufficient margin for a controlled re-entry. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, published in July 2026, indicated 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 costs, and NASA’s workforce expenses necessary to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle’s readiness for delivery is targeted for October 2028, with launch scheduled for mid-2029.
The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle combines a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, equipped for rendezvous and docking, with an enlarged trunk that supplies the propulsion system required for descent. Design modifications have included upgrades to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the solar-array configuration on the trunk, as outlined by the GAO. The plan is for the vehicle to dock with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and remain attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the spacecraft, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will separately procure the rocket needed to place it into orbit and reach the station complex.
Deorbit Plan Aims for a Distant Oceanic Debris Field
Since beginning assembly in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station, which weighs around 430,000 kilograms and covers an area roughly the size of a football field, orbits at about 415 kilometers above Earth. Its systems are highly interconnected; the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes handle routine orientation during normal operations. These interdependent relationships form the foundation of the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, requiring close coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule emphasizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report noted that NASA is considering launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extending station operations into 2028, with further structural analysis supporting continued operation through that year. The officially approved multinational program, as disclosed by Roscosmos, involves initiating orbital descent in 2028, continuing over approximately two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area to minimize risk and environmental impact.
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