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

NATS outage cost UK aviation industry £33 million, report finds
Heathrow Tower.
NATS outage cost UK aviation industry £33 million, report finds
A new report says airlines bore the brunt of the financial losses, exposing the financial risks of aviation infrastructure failures.
Aerospace

5 Nov 2026

ODU Connectors secures docking and charging interfaces for autonomous industrial operations
ODU Connectors demo
ODU Connectors secures docking and charging interfaces for autonomous industrial operations
To advance the automation of production and logistics processes, ODU Connectors has introduced a range of connectors to provide secure Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) operations in industrial and warehouse environments.
Flights from London Stansted and Dublin disrupted by latest bomb threat alerts
Ryanair aircraft tails
Flights from London Stansted and Dublin disrupted by latest bomb threat alerts
"In my entire career I never saw anything like this," said former air traffic controller Michele Robson, as bomb threats disrupted flights from London Stansted and Dublin.
Aerospace

5 Nov 2026

US Army selects Serco for Command Post Modernisation
US Army Command Post Modernisation
US Army selects Serco for Command Post Modernisation
Through a range of proven service capabilities, logistical solutions and technical innovation, Serco is set to advance the US Army's modernisation programme and support operational deployments.
Defence Member News

5 Nov 2026

ODU Connectors secures docking and charging interfaces for autonomous industrial operations
ODU Connectors demo
ODU Connectors secures docking and charging interfaces for autonomous industrial operations
To advance the automation of production and logistics processes, ODU Connectors has introduced a range of connectors to provide secure Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) operations in industrial and warehouse environments.
Team LionStrike delivers three vehicles for UK MoD LMV trials
Team LionStrike LMV contenders
Team LionStrike delivers three vehicles for UK MoD LMV trials
Team LionStrike has delivered a Battlefield Ambulance, Tactical Mobility Vehicle and General Purpose Vehicle for the UK MoD’s Light Mobility Vehicle competition.
Defence

5 Nov 2026

Leicester’s National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
Leicester’s National Space Centre Discovery Team wins Sir Arthur Clarke Award
Following delivery of its education and outreach initiatives across the UK to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers and space explorers, the National Space Centre's Discovery Team has gained national recognition by winning a prestigious Sir Arthur Clarke Award.
Member News Space

5 Nov 2026

Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Astroscale and OHB sign MoU
Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Following ratification of the Kensington Treaty in October, Astroscale and OHB have signed an MoU to enhance cooperation between the UK, Germany and Japan towards protecting critical infrastructure in space, whilst supporting the safe, sustainable and responsible use of the orbital environment.
UK Space Agency launches In-Orbit Manufacturing research competition
View_of_Harwell_campus_in_the_UK_article
UK Space Agency launches In-Orbit Manufacturing research competition
A new competition launched by the UK Space Agency (UKSA) seeks projects that will underpin the research, development and maturation of an In-Orbit Manufacturing process and associated payload.
Events Space

4 Nov 2026

UK plans tougher facial recognition laws and police technology watchdog
Facial recognition
UK plans tougher facial recognition laws and police technology watchdog
The Home Office plans a statutory framework for police facial recognition, including independent oversight and mandatory bias testing.
Security

5 Nov 2026

Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Astroscale and OHB sign MoU
Astroscale and OHB to collaborate on space security
Following ratification of the Kensington Treaty in October, Astroscale and OHB have signed an MoU to enhance cooperation between the UK, Germany and Japan towards protecting critical infrastructure in space, whilst supporting the safe, sustainable and responsible use of the orbital environment.
UK SMEs offered 75% discount on Cyber Essentials certification under new scheme
CyberFirst Advanced at Lancaster University
UK SMEs offered 75% discount on Cyber Essentials certification under new scheme
The UK government has announced a new £2.4m fund which aims to make essential cyber security certification more affordable for British SMEs.
Security

4 Nov 2026