Partners from international space agencies have officially approved a coordinated plan to bring the International Space Station down from orbit, utilizing two Russian Progress cargo ships along with a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. Roscosmos, the Russian space agency, confirmed that primary guidance and propulsion duties will be shared between U.S. and Russian spacecraft, ensuring a controlled and secure conclusion to the station’s operational life in orbit.
The targeted orbital descent is set to commence in 2028, with the entire process expected to last approximately two years, according to Roscosmos. The plan involves natural atmospheric drag, deliberate altitude reduction with existing thrusters, and a final precise re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition plan mandates crew evacuation prior to the final burn, which aims to direct residual debris into an unpopulated ocean area, reducing risks to people and property. This approach is designed to prevent an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit at the end of the station’s service life.
Furthermore, Russia and the United States intend to create a bilateral agreement delineating responsibilities between Roscosmos and NASA during the deorbit operation. 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 agreement will define operational accountability, detailing the roles of each agency throughout the multi-stage deorbit process. No crew members will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn, according to NASA’s decommissioning sequence.
Five agencies collaborate on ensuring safe station disposal
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after assessments indicated that existing station propulsion and Progress craft alone couldn’t guarantee a controlled re-entry margin. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office published in July 2026 noted that NASA established a cost baseline of $1.2 billion in February, which includes an $843 million contract with SpaceX, future launch vehicle procurement, and costs related to certifying the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle’s readiness for delivery is targeted for October 2028, with an initial launch scheduled for mid-2029.
The spacecraft, built by SpaceX, features a Dragon module designed for rendezvous and docking, along with an enlarged trunk that provides the necessary propulsion for descent. Adjustments to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and modifications to the trunk’s solar-array setup have been part of the design work, as noted by the GAO. The plan is for the vehicle to dock with the station roughly 18 months before re-entry and stay attached until the final phase. NASA will own and operate the spacecraft, while its Launch Services Program will handle procurement of the rocket needed for launch and station reach.
The re-entry process is projected to span about two years
Since the station’s assembly began in 1998, continuous human presence has been maintained since November 2000. The station, with a mass around 430,000 kilograms, is approximately the size of a football field and orbits at about 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are interdependent: the Russian segment and Progress spacecraft supply propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation during normal operations. These relationships form the foundation of the joint deorbit strategy, requiring meticulous coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule aims to retire the station and conduct re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A GAO report from June 2026 states that NASA plans to assess in 2027 whether to proceed with launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. Structural analyses support operating through 2028, with additional reviews planned for beyond that period. Under the multinational program outlined by Roscosmos, the orbital descent will begin in 2028 and proceed over approximately two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.