<p>In response to the requirements of low impact disturbance, high separation velocity accuracy, high reliability, and lightweight design in space maneuvering processes, a novel lightweight tension-based separation mechanism is designed. Traditional separation mechanisms typically employ configurations such as strap-on, multi-point, or cube-satellite-box style, resulting in significant impact during connection and separation, poor accuracy, and high weight, which do not meet the demand for precise and controllable payload release in space maneuvering scenarios. This paper proposes a tension-based separation mechanism, with a single intermediate connection point serving as the constraint condition for load-bearing and separation functions, which significantly reduces the device’s weight. Precise control of separation velocity is achieved through the flexible arrangement of load separation mechanisms. This design significantly reduces the weight of the device while also offering advantages such as low impact, high reliability, and reusability. Firstly, the overall design scheme is introduced in detail, in accordance with task analysis, important design criteria have been proposed. The design combines the separation function with the load-bearing function in a single structure, which significantly reduces the device’s weight. Secondly, A dynamic analysis has been conducted on structural strength, stiffness and kinematic properties using dynamic software. Finally, environmental adaptability tests are conducted, and the results demonstrate the correctness of the lightweight design and simulation analysis presented in this research. Additionally, functional verification was carried out for impact, reliability, and reusability, providing insights for the development of lightweight separation devices for satellites and payloads both domestically and internationally.</p>