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Pyrotechnics are usually used for separation because of their reliability.
Pros:
- Reliable
- Simple
- Relatively easy to integrate
- Flight proven
Cons:
- Messy
- Leaves thick, dusty, smelly residue inside the rocket
- Requires thermal protection for parachutes, webbing, and other materials
- adds weight and reduces available volume for parachutes and critical recovery components
Motor Ejection
Most COTS solid rocket motors have an ejection charge in the top of the motor casing. It is ignited after a delay grain between the rocket motor and the ejection charge is burned through. See below:
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