Active debris removal by micron-scale dust injection

In response to the recent National Research Council report concerning orbital debris hazards and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration study suggesting active removal of small-scale (1mm - cm) `mission-ending´ orbital debris, we discuss concepts for small debris elimination through deployment of micron scale dust. Dust, which naturally fills the near-earth environment, can be deployed artificially in a narrow altitude band to enhance drag on debris and force reentry. The injected dust will also reenter the earth´s atmosphere. Orbital and suborbital dust deployment concepts for actively removing debris that (i) has uniformly spread around the earth or (ii) remains localized over a small volume, as well as the system risks and their possible mitigation are discussed.