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

TechPoint strengthens UK manufacturing capabilities with Esprit Electronics acquisition
TechPoint manufacturing
TechPoint strengthens UK manufacturing capabilities with Esprit Electronics acquisition
Basingstoke headquartered TechPoint has expanded its Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) expertise with the acquisition of Southampton based Esprit Electronics.
Aerospace Member News

14 Oct 2026

Stansted Airport reports record-breaking September
London Stansted Airport
Stansted Airport reports record-breaking September
Having experienced its busiest ever summer season, London Stansted has gone on to post record-breaking passenger numbers for September, surpassing the previous record set two years ago.
Aerospace

14 Oct 2026

UK drone companies ‘starved of oxygen’ after successful trials, warns Evolve Dynamics
The Wolfe drone by evolve dynamics, one of many made in the UK
UK drone companies ‘starved of oxygen’ after successful trials, warns Evolve Dynamics
British drone companies risk proving their technology only to find the orders needed to scale never arrive, Evolve Dynamics CEO Tom Redman has warned.
UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
UK Connect Defence's RBK
UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
A new solution designed and manufactured in the UK, is set to deliver resilient integrated 5G and LEO satellite services broadband connectivity via a single rugged unit, connecting people, systems and services for defence, humanitarian and remote operations, with no external supporting infrastructure.
RAF Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons test ability to fight from dispersed bases
Ex AGILE OWL is taking place at RAF Lossiemouth and Kinloss Barracks between the 5-9th October 2026. This exercise will build upon lessons identified during Ex AGILE WARRIOR and our ongoing Transition to Conflict initiatives, providing a valuable opportunity for collective training across station. The exercise is designed to test and evaluate our preparedness, resilience and ability to operate effectively as we continue to posture towards Ex STEADFAST DEFENDER 27. Exercise AGILE OWL will challenge individuals and teams to apply recent learning, validate procedures and identify further opportunities for improvement in a realistic operational environment.
RAF Eurofighter Typhoon squadrons test ability to fight from dispersed bases
RAF Coningsby and Lossiemouth tested their ability to sustain combat air operations from dispersed locations during Exercise Agile Owl.
Defence

14 Oct 2026

Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship towed into Devonport amid repair doubts
These are the voyages of HMS Protector , her 5 year deployment, to explore the Antarctica in support of UK interests
Royal Navy’s only ice patrol ship towed into Devonport amid repair doubts
Why the Royal Navy may be without an ice patrol ship for years even as it faces more demands in the High Atlantic and South Atlantic.
Defence

14 Oct 2026

ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
ClearSpace removing space debris
ClearSpace selected to deliver UK’s first active debris removal mission
The UK-led programme will remove two defunct satellites while creating specialist jobs, supporting supply chains and building capability in the growing in-orbit services sector.
Space

15 Oct 2026

UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
UK Connect Defence's RBK
UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
A new solution designed and manufactured in the UK, is set to deliver resilient integrated 5G and LEO satellite services broadband connectivity via a single rugged unit, connecting people, systems and services for defence, humanitarian and remote operations, with no external supporting infrastructure.
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
Malta Mobile Command Centre and Laboratory
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
The University of Malta now has a mobile connected operational environment housing workstations, real-time data processing, live video streaming and drone deployment in a single vehicle, that can be deployed wherever it is needed.
Member News Security Space

14 Oct 2026

Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
Chat with AI or Artificial Intelligence technology. Man touching chatting virtual with an intelligent artificial intelligence asks for the answers he wants. Smart assistant futuristic, Chatbot,
Warwickshire Police turns to AI to review the quality of investigations
An eight-agent system checks investigation records against policing standards, with officers retaining responsibility for decisions.
Security

14 Oct 2026

UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
UK Connect Defence's RBK
UK Connect Defence launches Rapid Broadband Kit
A new solution designed and manufactured in the UK, is set to deliver resilient integrated 5G and LEO satellite services broadband connectivity via a single rugged unit, connecting people, systems and services for defence, humanitarian and remote operations, with no external supporting infrastructure.
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
Malta Mobile Command Centre and Laboratory
Excelerate delivers Malta Mobile Command Centre and Lab to the University of Malta
The University of Malta now has a mobile connected operational environment housing workstations, real-time data processing, live video streaming and drone deployment in a single vehicle, that can be deployed wherever it is needed.
Member News Security Space

14 Oct 2026