Roscosmos disclosed that it has drafted a document to regulate the deorbiting of the International Space Station (ISS) in coordination with NASA. This development was reported by TASS via the press service of the state agency. The Russian space authority noted that a technical framework for safely concluding the ISS program and returning the station to a controlled entry path had been under discussion for some time with American partners.
According to Roscosmos, a draft technical document was prepared to outline the operational details of deorbiting the ISS. The intention was initially to rely on specific modifications to Russian Progress cargo spacecraft, which have historically been used to support station operations. However, the agency indicated that NASA now has the capability to influence the station’s orbital decay using its own fleet of spacecraft, potentially providing a controlled brake or counteracting thrust as part of a coordinated deorbit strategy.
The agency described that multiple deorbit scenarios are under review. This includes conversations at both the day-to-day operations level and the higher echelons of the ISS program management. Roscosmos explained that, beyond the technical considerations, discussions encompassed legal and financial arrangements, the allocation of responsibilities between the parties, and the broader framework governing their collaboration. The exchange reflects a careful, multidisciplinary approach to ensuring any deorbit plan aligns with safety, international law, and mutual commitments.
Separately, it was conveyed that NASA has announced a competition for the design of a spacecraft intended to facilitate the ISS’s deorbit. This initiative underscores the ongoing planning and technology development efforts that would support a formal, well-structured end-of-life process for the station, should a decision be made to pursue deorbiting in the coming years. The dialogue between the agencies continues to stress cooperation, transparency, and adherence to agreed-upon procedures and timelines.
Earlier statements from Roscosmos clarified that there has not yet been an official decision to deorbit the ISS in 2030 or 2031. This update adds context to the evolving discussion, indicating that both technical and governance considerations are still being weighed as planners examine how best to conduct any potential end-of-mission activities for the station and how to coordinate with international partners in a responsible and documented manner.