The International Space Station began as a joint project between Russia and the United States, and its path forward must be decided by both nations together. In remarks aired on the Solovyev.Live program, Roscosmos chief Yuri Borisov stressed that the station’s future requires a united approach.
Borisov outlined that several options for removing the ISS from orbit and dispersing it into the ocean are under discussion. He said any solution must be acceptable to both sides and include technical plans that work in practice. The emphasis, he added, is on feasibility and reliability rather than political aims, with officials urged to focus on what can be done safely.
The ISS has orbited Earth since 1998, a lifespan in space that has been extended through agreements to at least 2024, with serious conversations about keeping operations going beyond that date. Discussions continue among partners about maintenance, resupply, and how to replace aging systems while ensuring crew safety.
Borisov recalled that the United States has examined the possibility of deorbiting the ISS without Russian Progress cargo ships, which transport large quantities of fuel to the outpost. He noted that a similar system has reportedly been ordered by entrepreneur Elon Musk.
Then he issued a warning: if someone tries to push a plan without Russia’s participation, that actor would bear full responsibility for the maneuver and its consequences. If something goes wrong, those responsible must answer for it.
He explained that the station would likely sink as a whole rather than break apart, and a 400-ton object leaving the atmosphere would leave a sizable mess in its wake.
On October 7, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson described the U.S.–Russia partnership in space as extraordinary. He reminded audiences that this collaboration began in 1975 with the Soyuz-Apollo mission and has continued to the present.
Roscosmos has indicated that humanity’s path to Mars is a long-term objective, shaping how the agency views future exploration and station design.