In a satellite or space station having at least one stabilized service module and a payload module connected thereto in different orientations, an interconnecting and coupling structure includes latchable lift-and-turn mechanisms having some components in the service module and remaining components in the payload module; relative lift is provided such that the components are interconnected to obtain the interconnection of the modules; the modules are independently and releasably interconnected for latching and locking them together while the lift-and-turn mechanism is disconnected.