SPACECRAFT DEVICE INITIATIONSYSTEM

One aspect of the present invention involves a networked initiation system having one or more non-energetic hold-down and release mechanisms ("HDRMs"), a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and the control unit. Other aspects of the present invention involve networked initiation systems having one or more of each of non-energetic HDRMs, energetic HDRMs and other (generic) energetic devices. The systems also include a control unit and an interface bus connected between all of the HDRMs and/or energetic devices and the control unit. The system may be used on a spacecraft for holding various elements in place on the spacecraft during launch, and then activating the HDRMs and/or energetic devices at selected points in time after launch to release the elements for movement, e.g., into orbit or beyond.