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.