A satellite comprising - a first satellite component; - a second satellite component, which is a payload; and - a passive separation mechanism for separation of the first satellite component from the second satellite component, wherein the passive separation mechanism comprises: - a first structural element having a base plate, wherein the base plate has a first connecting surface, wherein the first connecting surface is directly formed on the base plate, wherein the first structural element is mechanically fixed to the first satellite component, - a second structural element having a base plate, wherein the base plate has a second connecting surface, wherein the second connecting surface is directly formed on the base plate, wherein the size and the shape of the base plate of the second structural element corresponds to the size and shape of the base plate of the first structural element, wherein the second structural element is mechanically fixed to the second satellite component, - a connecting means for mechanically connecting the first and the second connecting surfaces (11, 21) and for separating them upon activation; - wherein the connecting means is solder which interconnects the first and the second connecting surfaces (11, 21), the solder being meltable upon frictional heat occurring during entry of the first and the second structural elements (10, 20) into the earth's atmosphere, wherein the passive separation mechanism is configured to transfer said heat from the first satellite component and the second satellite component to the connecting means for melting the solder of the connecting means. - a first satellite component; - a second satellite component, which is a payload; and - a passive separation mechanism for separation of the first satellite component from the second satellite component, wherein the passive separation mechanism comprises: - a first structural element having a base plate, wherein the base plate has a first connecting surface, wherein the first connecting surface is directly formed on the base plate, wherein the first structural element is mechanically fixed to the first satellite component, - a second structural element having a base plate, wherein the base plate has a second connecting surface, wherein the second connecting surface is directly formed on the base plate, wherein the size and the shape of the base plate of the second structural element corresponds to the size and shape of the base plate of the first structural element, wherein the second structural element is mechanically fixed to the second satellite component, - a connecting means for mechanically connecting the first and the second connecting surfaces (11, 21) and for separating them upon activation; - wherein the connecting means is solder which interconnects the first and the second connecting surfaces (11, 21), the solder being meltable upon frictional heat occurring during entry of the first and the second structural elements (10, 20) into the earth's atmosphere, wherein the passive separation mechanism is configured to transfer said heat from the first satellite component and the second satellite component to the connecting means for melting the solder of the connecting means.