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This can be done using springs or a piston. The pros and cons for each are listed below:

The mechanism's working is described for a spring system: 

1. The initial design consisted of a mechanical attachment of the two stages prior to separation using shear pins that attach to the sustainer nozzle casing.
2. Springs push against the staging cone which pushes against the inside of the sustainer nozzle.
3. The staging cone is still connected to the booster using a shock cord.

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If the shear pins can be cut using a blade or are not used: 

For 1 spring:   K = 9810 N/m 

For 2 springs: K = 4905 N/m 

For 3 springs: K = 3270 N/m 

For 4 springs: K = 2452.5 N/m

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1. After the CoDR, it was decided that a physical connection must not be present between both stages.
2. The guide will stop the sustainer from rotating unnecessarily and removes the need for shear pins to connect both stages which reduces spring constant requirements.
3. A tight tolerance with low friction is required.

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