Roscosmos has confirmed that all international space agency partners have officially approved the design for the controlled retirement of the International Space Station. The joint plan involves the use of two Russian Progress cargo ships along with a dedicated U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to oversee atmospheric re-entry procedures. This agreement ensures the critical propulsion and navigation responsibilities are shared between Russia and the United States, marking the end of decades of collaborative station operation under a unified safety protocol.
Roscosmos announced that the station’s descent toward Earth is scheduled to begin in 2028, with the entire deorbiting process expected to span roughly two years. The process will integrate natural atmospheric drag with intentional altitude reductions using existing thrusters, culminating in a final precise re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition plan specifies that the crew will return to Earth before the final burn is executed. This maneuver aims to guide any remaining debris into an uninhabited ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, instead of allowing an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit after operations conclude.
Furthermore, Russia and the United States are working on a bilateral agreement to clarify responsibilities during the deorbiting phase. According to NASA, safe disposal is a shared duty among the five agencies involved in operating the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the vehicle combination has been established, the upcoming bilateral document will define operational accountability between Roscosmos and NASA through the various stages of deorbiting. Under NASA’s current decommissioning plan, no crew will remain onboard during the final re-entry burn.
NASA Allocates $1.2 Billion Budget for Deorbit Vehicle Development
In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to create and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after assessments revealed that existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone could not provide enough margin for a controlled re-entry. According to a July 2026 report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office, NASA established a project cost baseline of $1.2 billion in February. This total covers the reported $843 million contract with SpaceX, future procurements for launch vehicles, and NASA’s workforce costs required to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle is scheduled to be ready for launch by October 2028, with the launch targeted for mid-2029.
The U.S. deorbit vehicle combines a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, modified for rendezvous and docking, with a larger trunk equipped with the propulsion system necessary for controlled descent. The GAO noted that design modifications include adjustments to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and revisions to the solar-array configuration on the trunk. The spacecraft is planned to dock securely with the station approximately 18 months before re-entry and remain attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while its Launch Services Program will arrange the rocket needed for orbit insertion and transit to the station.
Enhanced Dragon Vehicle Incorporates Additional Propulsion Capabilities
Since the assembly of the International Space Station began in 1998, humans have maintained a continuous presence aboard since November 2000. The station’s mass totals about 430,000 kilograms, roughly the size of a football field, orbiting at approximately 415 kilometers. Its systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress spacecraft provide reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation during normal operations. These interdependent relationships form the foundation of the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, requiring close coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current schedule for transitioning toward decommissioning emphasizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicates NASA is considering a review in 2027 to decide whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. The agency’s analyses support continuing station activities through 2028, with further evaluations planned to assess options beyond that date. Under the multinational deorbit plan disclosed by Roscosmos, the process of lowering the station’s orbit will commence in 2028, lasting around two years and culminating in a controlled re-entry designed to deposit debris safely within a remote ocean area.
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