Low shock separation joint for attaching a first structure to a second structure, the low shock separation joint comprising: a first member including at least one flange (709, 710), the first member comprising a first structural element, a second structural element, and a third structural element coupled proximally to a major surface of said first and second structural elements (714, 713) to form an I-beam shape, wherein first, second, and third structural elements (714, 713, 712) form a clevis on a structural attachment side of said third structural element for receiving and rigidly attaching to the first structure; a second member including at least one flange (717, 718) corresponding to said at least one flange (709, 710) on said first member wherein said first member is elastically flexible to allow said at least one flange (709, 710) of said first member to be aligned to said at least one flange (717, 718) of said second member and wherein said at least one flange (709, 710, 717, 718) of said first and second members (701, 702) are adapted to mate with one another when said first member is released from flexing to prevent separation of the separation joint under tensile and compressive forces; and an explosive device within the separation joint to decouple said first member from said second member when detonated, characterized in that said first member further includes: a first holding member extending from said first structural element on a joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface; a second holding member extending from said second structural element on said joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface wherein said explosive device is held between said support surfaces of said first and second holding members (704, 705). a first member including at least one flange (709, 710), the first member comprising a first structural element, a second structural element, and a third structural element coupled proximally to a major surface of said first and second structural elements (714, 713) to form an I-beam shape, wherein first, second, and third structural elements (714, 713, 712) form a clevis on a structural attachment side of said third structural element for receiving and rigidly attaching to the first structure; a second member including at least one flange (717, 718) corresponding to said at least one flange (709, 710) on said first member wherein said first member is elastically flexible to allow said at least one flange (709, 710) of said first member to be aligned to said at least one flange (717, 718) of said second member and wherein said at least one flange (709, 710, 717, 718) of said first and second members (701, 702) are adapted to mate with one another when said first member is released from flexing to prevent separation of the separation joint under tensile and compressive forces; and an explosive device within the separation joint to decouple said first member from said second member when detonated, characterized in that said first member further includes: a first holding member extending from said first structural element on a joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface; a second holding member extending from said second structural element on said joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface wherein said explosive device is held between said support surfaces of said first and second holding members (704, 705). a first holding member extending from said first structural element on a joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface; a second holding member extending from said second structural element on said joint side of said third structural element and ending in a support surface wherein said explosive device is held between said support surfaces of said first and second holding members (704, 705).