Celestia: a spin-in success story driving inward investment in the UK space sector
Celestia UK, part of the Celestia Technologies Group, set out to design a next-generation electronic antenna system capable of simultaneously tracking multiple satellites—addressing the rapid rise of low- and medium-Earth-orbit constellations. These constellations are essential to meeting the growing demand for high-speed internet, robust navigation systems, and advanced environmental monitoring.
Why Heriot-Watt?
Heriot-Watt University’s unparalleled expertise in antenna technology, signal processing, and space applications attracted Celestia to establish a spin-in partnership on campus. Home to one of the largest antenna engineering research groups in the UK, the University offered consultancy on thermal, mechanical, and radio frequency design, alongside access to cutting-edge labs and specialist instruments.
Collaboration and innovation
- Research & development: Heriot-Watt academics supported Celestia in designing electronic antennas that process complex signals when tracking multiple moving satellites.
- Talent pipeline: The University’s contribution included hosting a visiting scholarship, enhancing company staff capabilities, and facilitating the recruitment of four doctoral graduates.
- Knowledge transfer: Professor George Goussetis, a leading figure in microwave and antenna engineering, undertook a part-time industrial secondment to Celestia, deepening shared expertise.
Bolstering a thriving ecosystem
Celestia’s work benefits from Heriot-Watt’s broader space-technology ecosystem, which includes:
- HOGS Optical Ground Station (HOGS): A £2.5 million investment advancing secure satellite communications.
- Integrated Quantum Networking (IQN) Hub: Part of the University’s quantum research portfolio, aimed at innovative communication, sensing, and computing solutions.
- Successful strategic partnership with ASML: In its third successive phase, this collaboration has delivered significant breakthroughs, strengthening Scotland’s photonics cluster and growing space sector.
Impact and outcomes
After starting in Heriot-Watt’s GRID Incubator, Celestia UK established a permanent base in the University’s research park. It has since grown from a fledgling spin-in to an established business generating multi-million-pound revenues and employing 26 people. Supported by a £2.5 million Scottish Enterprise R&D grant, Celestia’s facility contributes to Edinburgh’s emergence as a global hub for satellite technology, reinforcing Scotland’s standing in the thriving space sector.
Malachy Devlin, chief executive at Celestia UK, said: “Working with Heriot-Watt University has given us access to expertise and facilities that we couldn’t have found anywhere else in the UK, enabling faster and more cost-effective development. The most important contribution from Heriot-Watt was to help us develop new ways to process the complex signals that are received by the antenna when it’s tracking more than one satellite at once.
Having access to all the knowledge and experience at the university has been like having a giant research and development department at our disposal and that has helped us to enhance our in-house skills, bringing on board members of staff who are qualified to doctoral level.”
George Goussetis, professor of microwave and antenna engineering at Heriot-Watt University, added:
“Working on so many different technical dimensions with Celestia has allowed us to build interdisciplinary teams within the university and provide a one-stop-shop to carry out research into signal processing and thermal, mechanical, and radio frequency design. The partnership means we can teach our students about real-world examples from the satellite sector, which further enhances their employment opportunities. The facilities developed by Celestia are now also available for use by our researchers, while our work with the company has increased our profile with the European Space Agency.”
Looking ahead, Celestia and Heriot-Watt continue to expand their partnership through research initiatives and knowledge transfer programmes, fuelling inward investment and strengthening the UK’s leadership in next-generation space communications.