Closed electron drift plasma thruster adapted to high thermal loads

A closed electron drift plasma thruster adapted to high thermal loads, the thruster comprising a main annular channel for ionization and acceleration that is defined by parts made of insulating material and that is open at its downstream end, at least one hollow cathode disposed outside the main annular channel adjacent to the downstream portion thereof, an annular anode concentric with the main annular channel and disposed at a distance from the open downstream end, a pipe and a distribution manifold for feeding the annular anode with an ionizable gas, and a magnetic circuit for creating a magnetic field in the main annular channel,

• wherein the magnetic circuit comprises:
• an essentially radial first outer pole piece;
• a conical second outer pole piece;
• an essentially radial first inner pole piece;
• a conical second inner pole piece;
• a plurality of outer magnetic cores surrounded by outer coils to interconnect the first and second outer pole pieces;
• an axial magnetic core surrounded by a first inner coil and connected to the first inner pole piece;
• and
• a second inner coil placed upstream from the outer coils.