MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – Russia’s state space agency Roscosmos has confirmed that international partners have given the green light to a collaborative flight plan aimed at guiding the International Space Station (ISS) through a controlled re-entry. This plan involves the use of two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft in conjunction with the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle developed by SpaceX. The decision marks the establishment of a joint propulsion and navigation framework between Roscosmos and NASA, ensuring a unified approach to safely and precisely deorbiting the orbiting laboratory.
Roscosmos stated that the station’s descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process anticipated to span around two years. This sequence will utilize natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions through existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition framework indicates that the crew will return to Earth prior to the execution of the final burn. This maneuver is designed 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 once operations end.
A bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States is also planned to clearly define responsibilities during the disposal process. NASA describes safe disposal as a shared responsibility among the five agencies operating the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the program sets the vehicle configuration, the bilateral agreement will specify operational accountability for Roscosmos and NASA throughout the multiple stages of the deorbit effort. No crew members will stay onboard for the final re-entry burn, as per NASA’s decommissioning plan.
Russia and US Collaborate on Space Station Retirement Planning
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies revealed that the existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone did not provide enough margin for a controlled re-entry. A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, published in July 2026, revealed that NASA set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February. This includes the reported $843 million SpaceX contract, upcoming launch vehicle procurement, and NASA’s workforce expenses for certifying the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The planned delivery readiness date is October 2028, with a launch targeted for mid-2029.
The U.S. vehicle features a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft equipped for rendezvous and docking, complemented by an enlarged trunk that provides the necessary propulsion for descent. According to the GAO, design modifications have included updates to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array layout. The spacecraft is scheduled to dock with the station approximately 18 months before re-entry and will remain attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate it, with its Launch Services Program separately procuring the rocket needed to place the vehicle into orbit and reach the station.
Pre-Re-entry Crew Departure Scheduled
Since its inception in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained continuous human occupancy since November 2000. The complex weighs roughly 430,000 kilograms, spans 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 spacecraft supply propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation tasks during standard operations. These interdependent systems form the foundation of the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, requiring meticulous coordination among the involved agencies.
NASA’s current transition plan emphasizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated that the agency is considering a 2027 assessment on whether to proceed with launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations. The agency’s analyses support operational continuation through 2028, with additional reviews addressing the period beyond that. Under the multinational program disclosed by Roscosmos, orbital lowering will commence in 2028, continuing over roughly two years, ending with a controlled atmospheric breakup intended to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.