MOSCOW, Russia / Rank Wire / – The international partnership has given the green light for a joint spacecraft configuration aimed at conducting a planned re-entry of the International Space Station (ISS), according to Roscosmos. The strategy involves using two Russian Progress cargo spacecraft along with the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle developed by SpaceX. This agreement creates a unified approach for propulsion and navigation, ensuring Roscosmos and NASA work together in executing a safe, precise deorbit of the orbiting laboratory.
Roscosmos indicated that the station’s descent will commence in 2028, with the entire deorbiting process projected to last around two years. The plan combines natural atmospheric drag, intentional altitude reduction via existing propulsion systems, and a final targeted re-entry maneuver. NASA’s transition framework specifies that the crew will leave the station before the final burn is initiated. This maneuver aims 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 at the end of operations.
Additionally, Russia and the United States are working on drafting a bilateral agreement that will outline the responsibilities of Roscosmos and NASA during this operation. NASA emphasizes that safe disposal is a shared responsibility among the five agencies managing the station: NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, and the Canadian Space Agency. The program specifies the spacecraft combination, while the bilateral document will define operational responsibilities for both Russian and U.S. agencies throughout the multi-stage disposal. Under NASA’s decommissioning sequence, no crew will remain onboard for the final re-entry burn.
Russia and US Collaborate on ISS Deorbit Strategy
In June 2024, NASA selected SpaceX to develop and deliver the uncrewed U.S. Deorbit Vehicle after analyses showed that existing station propulsion systems and Progress spacecraft lacked sufficient margin for a controlled re-entry. A report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office released in July 2026 stated that NASA set the project’s cost baseline at $1.2 billion in February. This figure includes the reported $843 million SpaceX contract, future launch vehicle procurement, and NASA workforce expenses for certifying the spacecraft’s docking and station operations. The vehicle is scheduled for delivery readiness by October 2028, with a launch target set for mid-2029.
The U.S. spacecraft combines a SpaceX Dragon module designed for rendezvous and docking, along with 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 plan is to dock the vehicle with the station approximately 18 months prior to re-entry, and it will stay attached through the final phase. NASA will own and operate the spacecraft, while the agency’s Launch Services Program will separately acquire the launch vehicle needed to place it into orbit and reach the station.
Crew Will Exit Before the Final Re-entry Burn
The ISS has been under continuous human operation since November 2000, with assembly beginning in 1998. It weighs roughly 430,000 kilograms, covers an area comparable to a football field, and orbits at approximately 415 kilometers in low Earth orbit. Its systems are highly interconnected: the Russian segment and Progress vehicles provide propulsion for reboosts, debris avoidance, and attitude control, while U.S. gyroscopes manage orientation during routine operations. These interconnected systems form the foundation of the joint deorbit plan and require precise coordination among all participating agencies.
NASA’s current decommissioning timeline focuses on retiring the station and executing re-entry maneuvers by 2030. A June 2026 GAO report mentions that NASA is considering whether to launch the U.S. Deorbit Vehicle in 2029 or extend station operations into the future. The agency’s analysis supports operating the station through 2028, with ongoing reviews planned for the period beyond that. The multinational deorbit plan, as revealed by Roscosmos, involves starting the orbital lowering process in 2028, which will continue for about two years before culminating in a controlled atmospheric breakup designed to deposit debris into a remote ocean area.