Abstract: The deployment and retrieval of payloads in on-orbit tethered systems have broad application prospects. A low-energy-consuming and easily controllable launch and retrieval mechanism can ensure mission success while conserving energy. This study proposes a tethered payload launch and retrieval mechanism with a clutch function, which reduces the frictional loss of kinetic energy during payload deployment and enables active motor control at the end of the deployment phase. Finally, simulations and experiments are conducted on the launch deployment process, and the results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed mechanism.