A coupling assembly for fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft and a kit of parts for a coupling and a method of fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft using a coupling

A kit of parts for a coupling for fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft, the first spacecraft comprising a drive mechanism and the second spacecraft comprising a valve for filling and/or draining the second spacecraft, the kit of parts comprising:

• a set of two or more actuating members configured to engage and open different types of valve;
• a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism is operable to rotate the coupling each actuating member configured to be attached to the coupling member such that the actuating member and coupling member form a first connector;
• a second connector comprising a stop portion and a bore for transferring fluid, the second connector configured to screw on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve;
• and,
• at least one lock configured such that, when the coupling is assembled and is in use, the or each lock is initially in a locked state wherein the coupling member is rotationally fixed relative to the second connector such that operation of the drive mechanism rotates the coupling member and the second connector together such that the second connector is screwed on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve, the actuating member being prevented from moving relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve whilst the or each lock is in the locked state,
• and wherein once the stop portion engages the valve operation of the drive mechanism to exert a torque on the coupling member that is greater than a predetermined torque level moves the or each lock to an unlocked state wherein the actuating member is moveable relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve.

A method of fluidly connecting first and second spacecraft using a coupling, the first spacecraft comprising a drive mechanism and the second spacecraft comprising a valve for filling and/or draining the second spacecraft, the coupling comprising:

• a first connector comprising an actuating member configured to engage and open the valve and a coupling member configured to couple to the drive mechanism such that the drive mechanism is operable to exert a torque on the coupling member to rotate the coupling member;
• a second connector comprising a stop portion and a bore for transferring fluid, the second connector configured to screw on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve;
• and,
• at least one lock configured such that, in use, the or each lock is initially in a locked state wherein the coupling member is rotationally fixed relative to the second connector, the actuating member being prevented from moving relative to the second connector to engage and open the valve, the method comprising:
• connecting the second connector to the valve by operating the drive mechanism with the or each lock in the locked state to rotate the coupling member and the second connector together such that the second connector is screwed on to the valve until the stop portion engages the valve;
• and then,
• moving the or each lock to the unlocked state by operating the drive mechanism to exert a torque on the coupling member that is greater than a predetermined torque level such that the actuating member is moveable relative to the second connector to engage the valve.