An apparatus for ejecting a flying body (e.g. payload recovery container) from a spacecraft includes a first ring to be secured to the spacecraft, a cable winding device that is arranged on a second ring and that is releasably engageable with the flying body, and tension cables extending between the two rings. The cable winding device is spring-biased to wind-up the cables, which extend axis-parallel along the cylindrical outer shell of the flying body. Holding and guide elements on the first ring hold and guide the flying body. Catch elements on the cable winding device releasably engage receivers on the flying body. When the holding elements are released, the cables are retracted by the cable winding device, and the rotation of the cable winding device is transmitted to the flying body via the engaged catch elements and receivers. Thereby, the flying body is rotated and translationally ejected.