Device for the hold-down and controlled release of space satellites installed on launchers and loads installed on space satellites

A device for hold-down and controlled release of space satellites installed on launchers and loads installed on space satellites, comprising:

• a blocking member for the engagement of a screw, said blocking member being made up of segments radially displaceable from a mutually approached retaining position to a mutually spaced-apart release position of the screw,
• actuator means for controlling the radial displacement of said segments from said retaining position to said release position, the actuator means comprising a rotatable element coaxially rotatable with respect to the blocking member,
• an articulated mechanism comprising a plurality of connecting rods and crank units which operatively connect said rotatable element with said segments of the blocking member, and
• drive means for the controlled rotation of said rotatable element and, through said articulated mechanism, the simultaneous displacement of the segments of the blocking member between said retaining and releasing positions.