A cable restraint/deployment mechanism is disclosed for deploying an object in space from a spacecraft. To deploy the object, the cable restraint/deployment mechanism cuts a cable attached to the spacecraft and the object. For example, a spacecraft may include a solar panel array that is restrained by the spacecraft in a stowed form through the use of a wire rope cable. The cable may be affixed at one end to a deployable object. The other end of the cable is affixed to the spacecraft through a cutting mechanism, such as a pyrotechnically actuated cutting device. The cutting mechanism cuts the cable at a swaged sleeve of the cable. The swaged sleeve of the cable substantially prevents splaying of the cable and cutting debris.