Material transfer interfaces for space vehicles, and associated systems and methods

A fluid transfer system for space vehicles, the system comprising a first coupler and a first valve device carried by the first coupler, wherein the first coupler is configured to be carried by a first space vehicle, and wherein:

• the first coupler comprises a tube, a latch arm carrier, latch arms carried by the latch arm carrier, and a latch arm guide;
• the latch arms are movable and positionable to engage a second coupler carried by a second space vehicle, wherein when the latch arms are engaged with the second coupler, the first valve device is engageable with a second valve device associated with the second space vehicle to transfer fluid between the first space vehicle and the second space vehicle;
• the latch arm carrier is translatable relative to the tube and relative to the latch arm guide;
• at least one of the latch arms contacts the latch arm guide;
• and
• translation of the latch arm carrier causes the at least one of the latch arms to move relative to the latch arm guide, and contact between the at least one of the latch arms and the latch arm guide while the at least one of the latch arms moves relative to the latch arm guide causes the at least one of the latch arms to pivot.

A fluid transfer system for space vehicles, comprising:

• a first coupler configured to be carried by a first space vehicle;
• a first valve device carried by the first coupler;
• a second coupler configured to be carried by a second space vehicle;
• and
• a second valve device carried by the second coupler;
• wherein:
• the first coupler includes rotatable and translatable latch arms positioned to engage with and connect to the second coupler, an actuator operably coupled to the latch arms to move the latch arms between an open position and a closed position, and a spring motor operably coupled to the latch arms to move the latch arms to an open position if the actuator fails;
• and
• the first valve device incudes a moveable probe that is insertable into the second valve device when the latch arms of the first coupler are connected to the second coupler to transfer fluid between the first and second valve devices.