Roscosmos has confirmed that all international space agency partners have formally approved the flight plan for the controlled end-of-life procedure of the International Space Station. The joint strategy involves two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft and a specialized U.S. Deorbit Vehicle to oversee atmospheric re-entry operations. This operational agreement ensures critical propulsion and guidance responsibilities are shared between Russia and the United States, marking the conclusion of decades of collaborative station management under a unified safety protocol.
According to Roscosmos, the station’s planned orbital descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbit process expected to last around two years. The plan integrates natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reductions via existing thrusters, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s official transition plan indicates that the crew will return to Earth prior to the execution of the final burn, which is designed to direct remaining debris into a remote ocean area, minimizing risks to people and property. This approach is intended to prevent an uncontrolled descent of the station from low Earth orbit at the conclusion of its operational life.
A bilateral agreement between Russia and the United States is also under development, outlining how Roscosmos and NASA will share responsibilities during the deorbit process. NASA emphasizes that safe disposal is a collective obligation involving the five agencies 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 forthcoming bilateral document will specify operational accountability between the Russian and U.S. agencies throughout the multi-stage deorbit procedure. Under NASA’s decommissioning schedule, no crew will be aboard during the final re-entry burn.
NASA Sets $1.2 Billion Budget for Deorbit Vehicle Initiative
In June 2024, NASA awarded SpaceX the contract to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after studies revealed that existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft alone lacked enough margin for the planned controlled re-entry. An assessment published in July 2026 by the U.S. Government Accountability Office stated that NASA established the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February. This total encompasses the reported $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA workforce expenses required to certify the spacecraft for docking and station operations. The vehicle’s delivery readiness is scheduled for October 2028, with a launch targeted for mid-2029.
The U.S. deorbit craft combines a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, equipped for rendezvous and docking, with an enlarged trunk that provides the necessary propulsion for descent. Design modifications include updates to the Dragon’s power system, added shielding, and adjustments to the trunk’s solar-array configuration, as reported by the GAO. The spacecraft is planned to dock with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry and will remain attached through the final phase. NASA will retain ownership and operational control, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will separately procure the rocket needed to place the vehicle into orbit and reach the station.
Enhanced Propulsion through Modified Dragon Vehicle
Since its assembly began in 1998, the International Space Station has maintained a continuous human presence since November 2000. The station’s mass is roughly 430,000 kilograms, covering an area about that of a football field, and it orbits at approximately 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles supply propulsion for reboosts, debris-avoidance maneuvers, and attitude adjustments, while U.S. gyroscopes manage routine orientation. These interdependent systems underpin the joint architecture outlined in the ISS deorbit plan, requiring close coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current transition plan aims to decommission the station and execute re-entry operations by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report indicated that the agency is considering a 2027 review to determine whether to proceed with launching the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or to extend station operations. Structural analyses support operating the station through 2028, with further evaluations to address the period beyond that. As disclosed by Roscosmos, the controlled orbital lowering will commence in 2028 and span roughly two years, culminating with a planned atmospheric breakup that deposits debris into a remote ocean area.