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

Enhanced aviation programme to help college students into airport careers
TSCG and MAG aviation course launch 08.10.2026
Enhanced aviation programme to help college students into airport careers
Manchester Airports Group (MAG) is building on its partnership with Trafford & Stockport College to bring industry insights into the classroom and enable young people to get hands-on experience relevant to today's aviation sector.
Aerospace

13 Oct 2026

3 innovative technologies selected for trial at Glasgow Airport
Glasgow Airport with Edelweiss aircraft
3 innovative technologies selected for trial at Glasgow Airport
The companies selected are part of an initiative supporting the development and adoption of new technologies across the UK’s aviation sector.
Aerospace

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS signs £370 million contract for nationwide counter-drone defence of Kuwait
UK firm MARSS wins £370m Kuwait counter-drone contract, creating 100 jobs
MARSS will deploy a nationwide AI-enabled counter-drone network for Kuwait under a £370m contract, creating around 100 skilled jobs in the UK.
Defence

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
SaxaVord Spaceport, Shetland
UK and Germany back SaxaVord in new European space launch deal
The UK and Germany have agreed to deepen space launch cooperation, with Scotland's SaxaVord Spaceport securing European access to orbit.
Aerospace Defence Space

9 Oct 2026

Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
Satellite in Earth orbit
Excelerate Technology to build UK CNI robotic security solution
In a project co-funded by the European Space Agency Business Applications and Space Solutions (ESA BASS) and supported by the UK Space Agency, Excelerate Technology will build and demonstrate how space-enabled assets can provide innovative safety and security solutions, including protection of Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) at a site in the UK.
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
ESA Argonaut
World Space Week: How British technology will help ESA return to the Moon
As Europe prepares to return to the Moon, British-developed LEIA LiDAR technology will help ESA's Argonaut lander autonomously identify safe touchdown zones on the lunar surface.
Space

5 Oct 2026

MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Sir Ken McCallum, MI5 chief giving annual threat update at Thames House
MI5 warns UK defence businesses to strengthen security
Defence suppliers and critical infrastructure operators must strengthen protection against sabotage, cyber attacks and drone threats, MI5 chief Sir Ken McCallum has warned.
Defence Security

13 Oct 2026

Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Cyber security being done by a man on a computer
Two in five UK workers lack training on AI-powered cyber threats
Adding AI to the already complex business of cyber security has the potential to make attacks more sophisticated and harder to spot.
Security

13 Oct 2026

UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
Boeing B-52H Stratofortress USAF at RAF Fairford
UK blames Iran’s Revolutionary Guards for RAF Fairford ‘bomb plot’
UK government accuses Iran's Revolutionary Guards of directing a suspected plot targeting RAF Fairford, following seven arrests.
Aerospace Defence Security

13 Oct 2026