General Atomics

QinetiQ orders acquisition systems from Celestia STS

Celestia STS (C-STS) has received an order from QinetiQ Ltd for two specially designed acquisition systems to provide test, trials, training and evaluation services for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) under the Long Term Partnering Agreement (LTPA).



Image courtesy Celestia STS

The LPTA is a 25-year contract between QinetiQ and the MoD for the provision of critical skills and facilities to generate and assure national defence capabilities through tests, trials, training and evaluation services.

QinetiQ Ltd provides Test & Evaluation services for the delivery of advanced defence capability, whilst C-STS are specialists in providing solutions in the domains of satellite simulation, testing, communication and data processing and have leveraged their extensive track record in satellite testing and operations working closely with QinetiQ’s experts to specify the required solution.
 
“We are very proud to have received an order from QinetiQ and for them to have selected C-STS to design and build their new acquisition systems,” said David Stam, Business Development Manager at Celestia STS. “They are based on our Multi-Purpose Interface Platform (MPIP), a modular, scalable electrical ground support equipment (EGSE) designed to enable spacecraft equipment builders and integrators to test and simulate spacecraft electrical and data interfaces in a fast, flexible and cost-efficient manner.

“MPIP has been successfully deployed in space missions including Galileo Second Generation, CRISTAL and ROSE-L and now it has been specially configured to support this bespoke acquisition system. We are looking forward to collaborating with QinetiQ to put it to the test.”

Celestia STS has also become JOSCAR registered as a prime contractor in the defence, security and aerospace sectors.

Related

Red Arrows return to UK after delayed Atlantic crossing
Red Arrows back in UK
Red Arrows return to UK after delayed Atlantic crossing
The Red Arrows have reached RAF Lossiemouth after their return from North America was delayed by poor weather in Canada.
Aerospace Defence

17 Aug 2026

Skyports and KNETCO sign deal to develop Kuwait’s first Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure
Kuwait City skyline
Skyports and KNETCO sign deal to develop Kuwait’s first Advanced Air Mobility infrastructure
A new strategic agreement will enable the foundations to be laid for Kuwait’s first Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) infrastructure ecosystem.
Aerospace Member News

17 Aug 2026

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026: What to expect as RAF takes centre stage
Pictured here is the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team flying over Edinburgh City and Castle for the grand opening of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on Saturday 12th August 2023 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) is the largest military engagement event in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK, which is held over several nights during the month of August on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Bringing together stories through music, dance, poetry, spoken word and imagery, a cast of over 800 UK and international performers will present ‘Stories’ through vivid and eclectic range of expression. The Tattoo will host performers from Norway, The United States, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland alongside acts from across the Uk and Ireland. The military will take a prominent role in the show with the Royal Air Force being the lead service this year.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026: What to expect as RAF takes centre stage
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is underway at Edinburgh Castle, with more than 800 performers and RAF flypasts featuring in the 2026 show.
Aerospace Defence

17 Aug 2026

Red Arrows return to UK after delayed Atlantic crossing
Red Arrows back in UK
Red Arrows return to UK after delayed Atlantic crossing
The Red Arrows have reached RAF Lossiemouth after their return from North America was delayed by poor weather in Canada.
Aerospace Defence

17 Aug 2026

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026: What to expect as RAF takes centre stage
Pictured here is the Royal Air Force's Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team flying over Edinburgh City and Castle for the grand opening of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on Saturday 12th August 2023 The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT) is the largest military engagement event in Scotland and one of the largest in the UK, which is held over several nights during the month of August on the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Bringing together stories through music, dance, poetry, spoken word and imagery, a cast of over 800 UK and international performers will present ‘Stories’ through vivid and eclectic range of expression. The Tattoo will host performers from Norway, The United States, Australia, Trinidad and Tobago and Switzerland alongside acts from across the Uk and Ireland. The military will take a prominent role in the show with the Royal Air Force being the lead service this year.
Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2026: What to expect as RAF takes centre stage
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is underway at Edinburgh Castle, with more than 800 performers and RAF flypasts featuring in the 2026 show.
Aerospace Defence

17 Aug 2026

Royal Navy drone fleet could triple missile capacity in North Atlantic war
A Royal Navy warship has completed the first firing of new ship-busting missiles capable of taking out enemy vessels at ranges of more than 100 miles.
Royal Navy drone fleet could triple missile capacity in North Atlantic war
A former senior Royal Navy officer says war games testing Britain’s Hybrid Navy concept produced roughly three times the missile capacity for a North Atlantic conflict.
Defence

17 Aug 2026

SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas
SatVu’s space-based thermal intelligence reveals status of Texan LNG terminal
By using HotSat-2's MWIR sensor, SatVu has captured thermal data over the Golden Pass LNG terminal in Texas, with AllSource Analysis attributing thermal activity to the individual units and equipment within.
Member News Space

14 Aug 2026

MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
Chorus: generated image.
MDA Space opens CHORUS Control Centre
With the opening of its new control centre, MDA Space has moved closer to operational readiness ahead of the launch of its CHORUS satellite constellation later this year.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Ground station.
Intuitive Machines completes acquisition of Goonhilly and COMSAT
Intuitive Machines’ integrated ground-to-space network is set to be enhanced by the ground station assets and competencies at Goonhilly, which will remain a UK entity and gain expanded resources, technologies and global reach.
Member News Space

13 Aug 2026

UK security innovators invited to join S&P 2027 Immersive Experience
Security and policing conference call for participants for immersive experience
UK security innovators invited to join S&P 2027 Immersive Experience
UK companies and academia are being invited to showcase their technology as part of the live Immersive Experience at Security & Policing 2027.
Member News Security

17 Aug 2026

NPAS provides aerial support for emergency responses in West Midlands and Sussex
West Midlands wildfires
NPAS provides aerial support for emergency responses in West Midlands and Sussex
As part of multi-agency responses to wildfires in the West Midlands and a train derailment in East Sussex last week, the National Police Air Service (NPAS) delivered aerial oversights and intelligence to help coordinate the efforts of the emergency services on the ground.
Aerospace Security

17 Aug 2026

Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
Turner & Townsend
Turner & Townsend strengthens senior leadership team
A number of senior appointments have been made which are intended to add significantly to the company's specialist infrastructure and defence capabilities.