Method of launching into operational orbit an artificial satellite and associated propulsion device

Propulsion device, for the implementation of a method of launching a satellite into operational orbit from a transfer orbit obtained by means of a space launcher, the satellite comprising a satellite propulsion system, the method being compatible with launchers available on market which are not capable of direct launching into operational orbit, the method comprising at least the following stages:

• a) attaching a separate propulsion device to the satellite and mounting the satellite and the separate propulsion device onto the space launcher before injection of the satellite, separate propulsion devices and space launcher into the transfer orbit by the means of the space launcher and separating the space launcher from the satellite and separate propulsion device,
• b) conveying the satellite and separate propulsion device, by means of the separate propulsion device, from the transfer orbit into an intermediate orbit, the intermediate orbit being close to the operational orbit but sufficiently far away from the operational orbit to avoid any interference with the operational orbit,
• c) separating the satellite from the separate propulsion device, which remains in the intermediate orbit as a graveyard orbit for the propulsion device, and
• d) allowing the satellite to reaches the operational orbit from the intermediate orbit by means of the satellite propulsion system,
• the separate propulsion device being controlled by the satellite and the separate propulsion device comprising
• a launcher satellite interface adapter,
• at least two tanks at least one of which contains a fuel propellant and at least one other of which contains an oxidizer propellant,
• at least one pressurisation tank for at least one propellant,
• at least one apogee thruster,
• manifolds to supply the apogee thruster with propellants from the tanks,
• wherein at least two of the tanks of propellant are toroidal tanks, at least one of which is inside and at least one other of which is outside the adapter.