Russia and the USA have agreed on a basic plan for the decommissioning of the International Space Station and its controlled deorbiting. After the end of its operation, the station is planned to be safely scuttled in a pre-selected ocean area to minimize risks to Earth.
According to the annual report of RKK "Energia", the parties in 2025 agreed on the approach to the final stage of ISS operation. Roscosmos and NASA are participating in the discussion, preparing a single document on the procedure for decommissioning the station and actions in possible emergency situations.
It is separately specified that the future regulations should describe the entire process of the station's deorbiting – from technical operations to legal and international procedures. The document will fix both the normal scenario for mission completion and actions in abnormal situations.
At the same time, the current ISS operation plan remains the same: the USA and partners expect to use the station until 2030. The Russian side is also discussing the station's operation within these terms.
In parallel, Russia is preparing to transition to its own orbital project. The first module of the new Russian station is planned to be launched into orbit in 2028.
RKK "Energia" is responsible for the Russian segment of the ISS, as well as for the manned "Soyuz MS" spacecraft and "Progress" cargo spacecraft, which ensure the delivery of crews and cargo to orbit.