Officially, international space agency partners have approved a joint plan to deorbit the International Space Station using two Russian Progress cargo ships and a U.S. Deorbit Vehicle. Roscosmos confirmed that control over guidance and propulsion will be shared between U.S. and Russian spacecraft, guaranteeing a safe and controlled conclusion to the station’s orbiting lifespan.
Roscosmos stated that the station’s descent will commence in 2028, with the deorbit taking approximately two years. The process will blend natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions via existing propulsion, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s outlined transition plan involves crew evacuation before the final burn is executed. This maneuver aims to direct debris into a remote ocean area, minimizing risk to people and property, rather than allowing an uncontrolled descent at the end of station operations.
Furthermore, Russia and the U.S. intend to develop a bilateral agreement delineating their respective responsibilities during the deorbit process. NASA describes the safe disposal as a collective duty shared among the five agencies operating the station: NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the multi-agency vehicle configuration is established, the bilateral document will specify operational responsibilities during the various stages of deorbiting. Under NASA’s published sequence, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
Shared accountability among five agencies for safe decommissioning
In June 2024, NASA chose SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle, following assessments that existing station propulsion and Progress craft lacked sufficient margin for a controlled re-entry. A July 2026 GAO report states NASA set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February, covering the $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch procurement, and NASA workforce expenses for spacecraft certification. The target for delivery readiness is October 2028, with a launch planned for mid-2029.
The vehicle will be a SpaceX Dragon craft with modifications for rendezvous and docking, featuring an enlarged trunk with propulsion capabilities for descent. Design adjustments include enhancements to the power system, added shielding, and solar-array configuration improvements, according to the GAO. It will dock approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and stay connected during the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while its Launch Services Program will procure the rocket for deployment in orbit.
Deorbit sequence projected to last about two years
Since its first assembly in 1998, the ISS has maintained an uninterrupted human presence since November 2000. Weighing around 430,000 kilograms and comparable in size to a football field, it orbits at roughly 415 kilometers altitude. The station’s systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles facilitate reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes support routine orientation. These interconnected systems form the basis of the joint deorbit plan and necessitate close coordination among participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule aims for station retirement and re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A 2026 GAO report indicates NASA plans a 2027 assessment on whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations. Structural analyses support operations through 2028, with further evaluations needed for subsequent years. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the controlled deorbiting will begin in 2028, lasting roughly two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup aimed at depositing debris into a remote oceanic area.