Spacecraft deployment systems and methods using moment bearing shear ball

A deployment system for a spacecraft, the deployment system comprising:

• a fitting for coupling a deployable device to the spacecraft, the fitting comprising an inner mating surface and a planar outer mating surface;
• a moment bearing shear ball assembly including:
• a shear ball having an outer circumferential mating surface engaged within the inner mating surface of the fitting;
• and
• a moment collar mounted onto the shear ball, the moment collar comprising a planar mating surface engaged with the planar outer mating surface of the fitting;
• and
• a separation interface defined between at least one of (1) the mating surfaces of the fitting and the shear ball and (2) the mating surfaces of the fitting and the moment collar,
• wherein engagement of the outer circumferential surface of the shear ball within the inner mating surface of the fitting constrains translation shear forces in at least two axes and axial forces in at least a third axis at the separation interface, and
• wherein engagement of the planar mating surface of the moment collar with the shear ball and the planar outer mating surface of the fitting constrains overturning moments of the shear ball about the at least two axes and axial forces in at least the third axis at the separation interface.