Roscosmos has revealed that all international space agency partners have officially approved the flight plan for the controlled decommissioning of the International Space Station (ISS). The collaborative strategy involves two Russian Progress cargo vehicles and a specialized U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to oversee the atmospheric re-entry process. This operational agreement ensures a balance of critical propulsion and guidance responsibilities between Russia and the United States, bringing an end to decades of joint station operations under a unified safety protocol.
According to Roscosmos, the planned orbital descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process projected to span roughly two years. The procedure will incorporate natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions via existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s published transition framework indicates that the crew will return to Earth before operators initiate the final burn. This maneuver aims to direct any remaining debris into an unpopulated ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property, rather than allowing the station to make an uncontrolled descent from low Earth orbit at the conclusion of its operational life.
Furthermore, Russia and the United States intend to formulate a bilateral agreement that clearly defines the responsibilities of Roscosmos and NASA during this process. NASA describes the safe disposal of the station as a shared duty among the five agencies operating it: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. While the program establishes the vehicle combination, the bilateral agreement will specify operational accountability throughout each stage of the deorbit operation. Under NASA’s outlined decommissioning plan, no crew members will remain aboard for the final re-entry burn.
NASA allocates $1.2 billion for the vehicle development project
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies indicated that existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone did not provide enough margin for the planned controlled re-entry. A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office released in July 2026 states that NASA set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February. This figure covers the reported $843 million contract awarded to SpaceX, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA workforce costs necessary to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle’s delivery readiness is targeted for October 2028, with a launch planned for mid-2029.
The U.S. Deorbit Vehicle will incorporate a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft equipped for rendezvous and docking, featuring an enlarged trunk capable of providing the necessary propulsion for descent. Design modifications include upgrades to the Dragon’s power system, additional shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array configuration, according to the GAO. The vehicle is expected to dock with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and stay attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the vehicle, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will separately handle the procurement of the rocket required to place it into orbit and reach the station complex.
Enhanced propulsion with modified Dragon spacecraft
The International Space Station, assembled since 1998, has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station’s mass is approximately 430,000 kilograms, covering an area roughly the size of a football field, orbiting at around 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are highly interdependent: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation. These interconnected systems underpin the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan and necessitate detailed coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current transition schedule emphasizes retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers in 2030. A GAO report from June 2026 indicates NASA plans to evaluate whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations in 2027. The agency’s analyses support operational continuity through 2028, with further assessments addressing future phases. As per the multinational program disclosed by Roscosmos, the orbital lowering process will begin in 2028 and last about two years, culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.