Retention system for a detachable spacecraft capsule mounted on a spacecraft

摘要

The invention is a system for retaining a detachable capsule to a spacecraft, with the capsule having a heat shield with a peripheral edge. In detail; the system includes a plurality of detachable retention systems with each retention system including a first strut having first and second ends, with the first end rotatably attached to the spacecraft and said second end terminating in a clamp adapted to mate with a portion of the peripheral edge of the heat shield. A spring biases the first strut away from the capsule's heat shield peripheral edge. A second strut is pivotally attached by its first end to the spacecraft and the second end is attached by an explosively actuated fastener assembly mounted on the first strut at a point between the first and second ends thereof.