Electric propulsion system with stationary plasma thrusters

An electric propulsion system with stationary plasma thrusters, the system comprising:

• at least one device for regulated delivery of gas under high pressure;
• first and second power processor units;
• first and second external thruster switch units;
• first and second electrical filters;
• and
• first and second juxtaposed stationary plasma thrusters;
• the first stationary plasma thruster comprising a first ionization channel, a single first cathode arranged in a vicinity of an outlet from the first ionization channel, a first anode associated with the first ionization channel, a first gas manifold, and first devices for creating a magnetic field around the first ionization channel;
• and
• the second stationary plasma thruster comprising a second ionization channel, a second single cathode arranged in a vicinity of an outlet from the second ionization channel, a second anode associated with the second ionization channel, a second gas manifold, and second devices for creating a magnetic field around the second ionization channel;
• the electric propulsion system further comprising:
• an electrical connection device common to the first and second cathodes;
• first and second gas flow rate control devices associated respectively with each of the first and second stationary plasma thrusters, with a common fluid flow device for feeding gas to the first and second anodes and to the first and second cathodes from the device for regulated delivery of gas under high pressure;
• and
• a device for selectively controlling activation at any given instant of only one of the first and second cathodes in co-operation with one of the first and second anodes.