A compact payload system for two formation-flying microsatellites in the CHANG'E IV mission

Two micro satellites will be manufactured and launched to the farside of the Moon by piggybacking on the CHANG'E-4 mission to make astronomical super-long wavelength observation, taking the advantage of the excellent electromagnetic environment on the Moon-farside. This paper proposes a highly compact payload system for this purpose, regarding the extreme conditions of limited mass, volume, power and cost. The functional units of the proposed payload system and related key technologies are described in detail. Experimental results verify the functional performance of our design. This project will be part of Chinese first star-star interferometry astronomical observation.