Payload separation device and method

A satellite separation system, said satellite separation system comprising in combination:

• a stay-behind ring comprising a plurality of first bolt holes circumferentially arranged at equal angular intervals for attachment to a launch vehicle;
• a flyaway ring comprising a plurality of second bolt holes circumferentially arranged at equal angular intervals for attachment to a payload;
• and
• an inner compression band;
• said stay-behind ring comprises a set of spaced voussoirs arranged in a circular arch,
• wherein said flyaway ring comprises a set of spaced voussoirs arranged in a circular arch,
• wherein said spaced voussoirs of said stay-behind ring interleave with said flyaway ring spaced voussoirs,
• said inner compression band is positioned on an internal diameter between said stay-behind ring and said flyaway ring and compresses said voussoirs together to prevent separation of said rings,
• wherein when said inner compression band is released, said flyaway ring separates from said stay-behind ring along a cylindrical axis of said rings,
• wherein the number of said spaced voussoirs on each of said rings are equal to half of the number of said bolt holes in each of said rings, and
• wherein an angular width of each of said spaced voussoirs is equal to 360/(number of said bolt holes*0.5) degrees.

A method of providing a satellite separation system, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a first ring comprising a plurality of first bolt holes;
• providing a second ring comprising a plurality of second bolt holes;
• providing an inner compression band;
• arranging a set of spaced voussoirs comprised in said first ring in a circular arch;
• arranging a set of spaced voussoirs comprised in said second ring in a circular arch;
• configuring the number of said spaced voussoirs on each of said rings to be equal to half of the number of said bolt holes in each of said rings;
• configuring said spaced voussoirs of said first ring to interleave with said second ring spaced voussoirs;
• positioning said inner compression band on an internal diameter between said first ring and said second ring and compressing said voussoirs together to prevent separation of said rings;
• and
• releasing said inner compression band such that said second ring separates from said first ring along a cylindrical axis of said rings.