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| An Artist's Conception of the Planned 2030 International Space Station Deorbit Manoeuvre |
The International Space Station (ISS) is set to begin its final descent in 2028, concluding with a controlled atmospheric re-entry and ocean splashdown in 2030. Roscosmos, the Russian state space corporation, has confirmed its commitment to the deorbiting schedule, marking the definitive end of a three-decade partnership that once symbolised post-Cold War cooperation.
Roscosmos Deputy CEO Dmitry Bakanov recently clarified the timeline, stating that the gradual lowering of the station's altitude will commence in two years. This transition is designed to overlap with the launch of Russia’s independent successor, the Russian Orbital Station (ROS). The coordinated exit ensures no partner is left without a low-Earth orbit presence during the handover to new facilities.
"In 2028, we will begin the gradual deorbiting of the station, with its subsequent plunge into the ocean scheduled for 2030," Bakanov told the Razvedchik Journal in March 2026. This alignment follows years of diplomatic uncertainty regarding Russia’s continued involvement in the ageing laboratory, which has suffered from technical fatigue and persistent micro-leaks in its Russian-built modules.
NASA has also prepared for this milestone by awarding an $843 million contract to SpaceX to develop the "US Deorbit Vehicle." This specialised spacecraft will serve as a high-powered tug, docking with the 400-tonne structure to execute the final "deorbit burns." These manoeuvres are critical to ensuring the station breaks up safely over a remote area of the South Pacific, known as Point Nemo, rather than falling unpredictably over populated land.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson previously indicated that the 2030 date remains the firm target for retirement, despite some calls in the U.S. Congress to extend operations until 2032.