Stage separation options | Other subsystems | Forum

One thing we haven't really spoken about much is how we are going to handle stage separation (technically the rocket is single stage, but hopefully it's clear what we mean).

I was having a look at the SugarShot website and noticed that, even though they're not an open source project in any explicit sense, they do have some fairly detailed technical information about their designs up.  This pdf contains diagrams and photos of their pyrotechnic separation device (PSD) which flew on their small scale "MiniSShot" rocket.  A scaled up version of something like this may work well for our purposes.

I suppose technically the part in our Social Contract about minimising the use of explosives compels us to investigate non-pyrotechnic options, although because the quantity of explosive involved in these sorts of devices is so small it would take only the slightest technical advantage in favour of a pyrotechnic solution to make it acceptable.  Nevertheless, it may be possible to come up with something using compressed air and/or springs and/or electromagnets which will work just as well.