International space agency partners have successfully agreed on a joint plan to bring down the International Space Station through a controlled re-entry utilizing two Russian Progress cargo ships and a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. Roscosmos, the state space agency, announced that the main guidance and propulsion tasks will be divided between U.S. and Russian spacecraft, guaranteeing a safe and managed conclusion to the station’s orbiting operations.
The deorbit process is scheduled to commence in 2028, with an estimated duration of around two years, according to Roscosmos. The plan involves gradually decreasing altitude through natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions with existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s outlined transition process specifies that crew members will return to Earth prior to the execution of the final burn. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into a remote ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than allowing an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit at the end of the station’s operational life.
A bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States is also in development, detailing how Roscosmos and NASA will share responsibilities during the re-entry. NASA describes safe disposal as a joint obligation involving 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 specify operational duties, while the vehicle combination is already established. Importantly, no crew will remain aboard for the final re-entry burn as per NASA’s decommissioning plan.
Responsibility for safe deorbit shared among five agencies
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after findings revealed that existing station propulsion and Progress spacecraft alone could not support the controlled re-entry. A report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, published in July 2026, indicated 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, and NASA workforce expenses to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle’s delivery readiness is targeted for October 2028, with a planned launch in mid-2029.
The U.S. spacecraft combines a SpaceX Dragon module, designed for docking with the station, along with an enlarged trunk equipped to carry the necessary propulsion system for descent. Design modifications have included updates to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array setup, according to the GAO. The vehicle is scheduled to dock with the station approximately 18 months before re-entry and will remain attached during the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will handle the procurement of the rocket needed for launch and transit to the station.
Re-entry process expected to span about two years
Since its first assembly in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station has a mass of roughly 430,000 kilograms, covers an area similar to a football field, and orbits at approximately 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress ships provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation. These interdependent relationships form the foundation of the joint ISS deorbit plan, requiring meticulous coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule aims for the station’s decommissioning and re-entry maneuvers to occur in 2030. A June 2026 GAO report states that NASA plans to evaluate in 2027 whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. The agency’s analyses support operation through 2028, with further assessments addressing operations beyond that period. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the controlled orbital lowering will begin in 2028 and last for about two years, ending with a re-entry designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area, ensuring a safe and controlled disposal process.