Kairospace says it verified the effectiveness of a system designed to reduce space debris This graphic depicts the KSAT3U activating the DORB system in space. (Kairospace via Yonhap) A South Korean aerospace company said Thursday it has successfully tested a device in space that could help prevent small satellites from becoming space debris.Kairospace said its Dorb de-orbiting system accelerated the orbital descent of its KSAT3U CubeSat after being deployed in space. The company said the satellite's orbital descent rate more than doubled following the deployment."Space debris is an important challenge that the global space industry must address together," Kairospace CEO Shin Kyung-woo said. He said the company plans to build on the demonstration through further testing in Europe and global commercialization efforts.The 3U CubeSat was launched aboard South Korea's KSLV-II rocket,also known as Nuri, in May 2023. A standard 1U CubeSat measures 10 centimeters on each side.Dorb uses a metal-coated polymer film that is folded into a space of about 0.25U and expands when activated. The larger surface increases atmospheric drag, causing the satellite's orbit to decay more quickly.Kairospace deployed the device after about a year of normal satellite operations. Other small satellites launched aboard Nuri are now orbiting about 80 to 150 kilometers above KSAT3U, the company said.Devices such as Dorb are designed to shorten the amount of time inactive or malfunctioning satellites remain in low Earth orbit. Increased atmospheric drag gradually lowers their orbits until they eventually reenter Earth's atmosphere.KSAT3U was launched to observe weather-related phenomena by measuring the polarization of light reflected from Earth's surface. The mission also included testing technology aimed at reducing space debris.The satellite remains operational after the Dorb deployment and transmitted images of the Busan New Port area in May, Kairospace said.The company plans additional ground tests in Europe later this year with support from Gyeongnam Technopark as it seeks to expand overseas.