Date: Sep 25, 2012 Author: Jim Dunning Source: Cal Poly News (
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SAN LUIS OBISPO -- Cal Poly's Research and Graduate Programs office entered into a license agreement that allows Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems LLC to develop and sell the patent-pending, small-satellite technology called CubeSat System, Method, and Apparatus.
The CubeSat technology represents state-of-the-art miniature low-power electronics. It is a product of Cal Poly's nationally recognized PolySat program. The technology provides a smaller, less costly, more flexible satellite avionics design that is re-usable and easily adaptable across a wide range of satellite missions.
Cal Poly's PolySat Project was founded in 1999 and includes a multidisciplinary team of undergraduate and graduate engineering students working to design, construct, test, launch and operate small satellite systems, otherwise known as CubeSats.
Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems LLC is a new company founded by former Boeing employee Charles S. "Scott" MacGillivray, and Cal Poly faculty and students from the Aerospace, Electrical, Computer Engineering and Computer Science departments. MacGillivray led Boeing Phantom Works nano-satellite programs for nine years.
Tyvak provides NanoSat and CubeSat space vehicle products and services that target advanced state-of-the-art capabilities for government and commercial customers to support operationally and scientifically relevant missions. Tyvak will market the Cal Poly CubeSat avionics as part of its "Intrepid" product line.
The university's current technology transfer activities include 12 issued patents, 11 patents pending, and three licensing agreements.
Licensing opportunities for patents held in the university's portfolio are available through the California Central Coast Research Partnership (C3RP). For more information, contact Jim Dunning, C3RP program manager, at 805-756-5551 orjdunning@calpoly.edu.
For more information on Cal Poly's PolySat Project, visit www.polysat.calpoly.edu. For information on Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems, go to www.tyvak.com, and for information on C3RP, go to www.c3rp.org.
