Abstract: A mechanical thruster for positively separating two releasably joined components under a controlled time delay. The thruster is particularly useful for mechanically opening canisters containing survival kits as they are being dropped from an airplane to a target. The thruster comprises an adjustable mechanical timing means which is actuated when a pin is pulled from it. After a predetermined time delay, the timing means actuates a plunger mechanically associated with it, which plunger dislodges a locking piston. This locking piston in locking position mechanically holds a thruster body about a barrel of the device. Once the locking piston is displaced, the thruster body is propelled away from the barrel.