The systems and methods of the invention modulate atmospheric gases to temporarily increase the amount of atmospheric particles in the path of the debris, in order to decelerate the debris and accelerate natural orbital decay to the point of atmospheric re-entry. In one aspect of the invention, clearing the space debris includes propelling a plume of atmospheric gases substantially orthogonal to the path of the debris such that the debris collides with the gaseous plume as it passes through the plume. Increased atmospheric drag from the gaseous particles of the plume in the path of the debris obstructs a forward propagation of the debris and gradually decelerates the debris, leading eventually to atmospheric recapture. Embodiments of the invention can be employed in any number of applications, including without limitation, clearing debris in the low-earth orbit (LEO) which is particularly susceptible to debris build-up, de-orbiting non-refuse payloads from orbits, and clearing debris from geosynchronous orbits.