An official joint plan for deorbiting the International Space Station has been authorized by international space agency partners. The plan involves utilizing two Russian Progress cargo ships and a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. Roscosmos confirmed that the primary responsibilities for guidance and propulsion will be divided between U.S. and Russian spacecraft, guaranteeing a controlled and safe conclusion to the station’s orbital mission.
The deorbit process is scheduled to commence in 2028, with estimates indicating it will take approximately two years to complete, according to Roscosmos. The approach will incorporate natural atmospheric drag, deliberate altitude reductions via existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition framework specifies that crew members will return to Earth prior to the final large burn commanded by operators. This maneuver aims to direct remaining debris into an uninhabited ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, instead of permitting an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit at the end of the station’s operational life.
Additionally, Russia and the United States intend to develop a bilateral agreement that will outline how Roscosmos and NASA will share responsibilities during the disposal process. NASA describes the safe disposal as a joint obligation involving five agencies responsible for the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. The program specifies the combination of vehicles to be used, while the upcoming bilateral document will detail operational responsibilities between the Russian and U.S. agencies throughout the multiple stages of deorbiting. Under NASA’s decommissioning sequence, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Five agencies collaborate on secure disposal efforts
In June 2024, NASA chose SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies highlighted that existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone did not provide enough margin for a controlled re-entry. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report published in July 2026 stated that NASA established a cost baseline of $1.2 billion for the project in February. This total includes the reported $843 million contract with SpaceX, 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 launch planned for mid-2029.
The U.S. vehicle integrates a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft designed for rendezvous and docking, featuring an enlarged trunk equipped with the propulsion systems essential for descent. According to the GAO, design modifications have included enhancements to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the solar-array configuration on the trunk. The spacecraft is set to dock with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and will stay attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate it, while its Launch Services Program will separately secure the rocket needed to place it in orbit and reach the station.
The final re-entry process will span roughly two years
Since beginning assembly in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station’s mass is roughly 430,000 kilograms, it covers an area comparable to a football field, and orbits at approximately 415 kilometers above Earth. Its systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance maneuvers, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation. These interdependent systems form the foundation of the joint deorbit plan, requiring detailed coordination among participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule emphasizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A June 2026 GAO report states that NASA plans a 2027 review to decide whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend the station’s operational period. The agency’s analyses support continuing operations through 2028, with further assessments planned for beyond that date. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the multinational program will see orbital lowering begin in 2028 and continue for about two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris within a remote ocean area.
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