An apparatus for ejecting a flying body such as a payload recovery container from a spacecraft includes a first ring to be releasably engaged with the flying body, a second ring to be secured to the spacecraft, and tension cables extending between and interconnecting the two rings. Cable winding devices mounted on at least one of the rings are spring-biased to wind-up the cables. The flying body is inserted through the open inner diameter of the second ring, and the first ring is separated from and rotated relative to the second ring, so that the cables extend helically along the outer circumference of the flying body. Holding and guide elements on the second ring hold and guide the flying body. When the holding elements are released, the cables are retracted by the cable winding devices, whereby the flying body is rotated and translationally ejected through the second ring.