Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)

We Are Better Together

Our Commercial Innovation Center (CIC) is a first-of-its-kind, online development and test platform that provides a secure, virtual, open ecosystem and test sandbox for developers and researchers. We do it by harnessing the combined powers of commercial remote sensing, unclassified open datasets, cloud technologies, in a secure development ecosystem fueled by new, emerging, and seasoned tools, services and data to create solutions that keep our nation safe. The Riverside Research CIC is the place where commercial subject matter experts come together securely to collaborate and create the best commercial solutions to real world scenarios before they're integrated and deployed in the field.

Together, we win

It’s not as much fun to play in the sandbox by yourself, right? We know from experience that it’s the collective work of many people with diverse experiences and backgrounds that create the most effective solutions. By design, the CIC encourages partnerships, increases data accessibility, integrates app development, and facilitates the creation of transition-ready prototypes. Because of our unique position as a nonprofit in the defense space, we can provide the neutral environment where collaborative innovation thrives. As demonstrated on this video, capitalizing on all commercial sensors available improves our progress towards persistent observation.

Access to rich datasets

Data is the one thing that is guaranteed to continuously grow and change. Technology entrepreneurs’ success revolves around access to these data and developing improved AI and machine learning tools creating integrated and advanced applications for businesses in support of (United States Government) USG needs.

Capella Space Active RF
Capella Space Active RF
the CIC encourages partnerships, increases data accessibility, integrates app development, and facilitates the creation of transition-ready prototypes
the CIC encourages partnerships, increases data accessibility, integrates app development, and facilitates the creation of transition-ready prototypes

Advanced tools and applications

Technology innovation in artificial intelligence, machine learning, and augmented and virtual reality present significant entrepreneurial opportunities, yet all require geospatial data for development. Early-stage entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and innovators will now have access to the large datasets that are traditionally only available to large, established industry players. Such datasets are often too costly for early-stage entrepreneurs and researchers to acquire, and even if the datasets are made available, they are often not packaged in a manner that allows innovators to work with the data—they are overwhelmingly unwieldy and non-standardized. The CIC data environment seeks to solve that problem, allowing researchers and entrepreneurs new opportunities for experimentation, testing, and training.

The CIC pairs this data with tools and services to streamline development timelines by ensuring flexible licenses are available for your R&D activities within the CIC ecosystem. As new tools and services become available, we negotiate with the vendors for early and shared access amongst our CIC participants to the latest and greatest capabilities from established vendors in the remote sensing market. This visual shows a few or our early integrators, and as new vendors are integrated, we’ll let the community know!

CIC Data Search and Discovery
CIC Data Search and Discovery

Your all-access pass

The CIC supports and enables industry, scientific, academic, and governmental R&D activities by facilitating access to commercial remote sensing data. Riverside Research integrates the hardware, software, processes, data, tools, internet accesses, demonstration capabilities, and other IT infrastructure required to execute CIC participant SIBR projects and meet R&D objectives. Our CIC offers:

  • Exposure to diverse and emerging data and data types for more data scientists
  • Increased interaction between content providers and new application developers; enables cloud-hybrid, multi-INT applications
  • Lowered entry barriers by eliminating the need for a user-developed system
  • Integrated orchestration-to-analysis workflow
  • Timely teaming, technology, and tipping
  • Accelerated access and use of commercial remote sensing solutions and innovation
Right where you want it

Right where you want it

Are you looking for a cloud-hosting environment where you can easily access commercial data for development and test—all from one place to safely develop, load, and test capabilities?

Our trusted, unclassified, virtual development platform provides access to R&D-licensed commercial remote sensing phenomenologies (e.g., EO, radar, IR, RF), connects emerging and established vendors with shared application tools and services, and facilitates GEOINT, MASINT, and Multi-INT research and development. The CIC includes:

  • An ecosystem of commercial data providers (CDPs)
  • A network of application developers
  • Common R&D data and COTS/GOTS tools (e.g., loading, discovery)
  • Common testing data (curated, tagged)
  • Robust DevOps environment
  • Hybrid cloud-ready infrastructure
  • Protected intellectual property and data rights
  • Maturing secure data fabric
CIC mission, vision & values

CIC mission, vision & values

Mission: Provide data scientists and algorithm developers with a virtual development and test platform and access to new and diverse commercial remote sensing data to develop algorithms, tools, and services.

Vision: Work in the Nation’s interest to offer proven expertise and experience in commercial remote sensing to solve problems through innovation, agility, and creative thinking.

Values: Encourage partnerships and connect emerging and established users across USG and industry with shared application tools, services, and diverse commercial constellation data.

Participant Agreements: We offer access to a secure, virtual, cloud-based ecosystem to perform R&D using existing and emerging commercial sources to develop and test algorithms, tools, and services accelerating USG objectives.

Commercial Experts: We offer our commercial experience, data scientists, and phenomenology experts to support efforts using the CIC to perform commercial utility assessments, new sensor development, synthetic data V&V, data value/usability studies, and more.

Products and Services: We offer access to CIC-based products and services such as synthetic data generation, data tagging, AI/ML V&V, data compression, data geo-registration, and more.

Work With the Commercial Innovation Center
Press Inquiries About the CIC

Commercial Innovation in the News

  • Commercial Imagery
  • Satellite Launches
  • EO-MSI
  • SAR
  • HSI
  • RF
  • SSA
Commercial Imagery
Iran Is at Work on Missile and Nuclear Sites, Satellite Images Show - GV Wire

... satellite imagery offers only an aboveground view of the construction. The imagery reviewed by the Times indicates that some fixes came soon after ...

Feb 6,2026
Scaling Seaweed Production across India through Combining Satellite and Oceonographic Data

... satellite and oceonographic datasets for social adoption for seaweed farming. Geospatial World. Geospatial World by Geospatial Media! TAGS; GW Prime ...

Feb 6,2026
Report: Iran appears to prioritize missile bases repair over nuclear after Israel war - Haaretz

Satellite imagery shows repair activity at at least a dozen missile facilities, including production and testing sites. Intelligence assessments ...

Feb 6,2026
Satellite-Based Water Leak Detection Program: New Mexico Environment Department ... - JD Supra

McKim & Creed. The program is stated to use L-band synthetic aperture radar satellite data and artificial intelligence to proactively detect leaks in ...

Feb 6,2026
What can we learn from zooplankton? - The Maine Monitor

By using satellite imagery to map where copepods are most abundant at the water's surfaces, Shunmugapandi can better determine where right whales ...

Feb 6,2026
NYT: Satellite Imagery Shows Iran Repaired Ballistic Missiles Sites Hit In 12-day War

Close analysis of satellite imagery suggests Iran "rapidly" repaired several ballistic missile facilities damaged by Israeli strikes during last ...

Feb 6,2026
Lloyd's List Intelligence bolsters AIS reach with Kinéis satellite tie-up - Splash247

Lloyd's List Intelligence (LLI) has partnered with satellite operator Kinéis to broaden its AIS coverage, integrating Kinéis as an optional feed ...

Feb 6,2026
Melco to develop defence communications satellite for Japan - Janes

... satellite communications (satcom) system for the Japan Self-Defense ... Delivering trusted intelligence to warfighters to protect national interests, ...

Feb 6,2026
France investigates 4 suspected of spying for China via satellite dish - RFI

... satellite communications from a base at ⁠a rental property in ... intelligence. The Paris prosecutor's office said two individuals have been ...

Feb 6,2026
Sudanese army finds overwhelming suffering after breaking RSF siege of embattled city

Nick Schifrin: In El Obeid, satellite imagery from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab shows nearly 100 new burial mounds in just two weeks between ...

Feb 6,2026
Iran Is at Work on Missile and Nuclear Sites, Satellite Images Show - The New York Times

The experts cautioned that the full extent of the repairs remains unclear, given that satellite imagery offers only an aboveground view of the ...

Feb 6,2026
Adventist Health Castle Satellite Imaging

Adventist Health Castle Satellite Imaging. 808-263-5030 Get directions ... At the Adventist Health Castle, we've invested in bringing the latest imaging ...

Feb 6,2026
Effects of Back-to-Back Winter Storms over Eastern U.S. and the Bahamas | NASA Earthdata

Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition (CSDA) Program · Earth Science Data ... Visit Worldview to visualize near real-time imagery and historical imagery ...

Feb 6,2026
China launches satellite for emergency communications using BeiDou system - Anadolu

China Space-Time Information specializes in satellite navigation and communications, big data, artificial intelligence, and geospatial remote sensing.

Feb 6,2026
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs

... Satellite Launch Center in southwest China's Sichuan Province, Sept. 19 ... intelligence development, and geospatial remote sensing.

Feb 6,2026
How satellite intelligence is reshaping mining decision-making | Steve Davis - LinkedIn

How satellite intelligence is reshaping mining decision-making globalminingreview.com.

Feb 6,2026
Israel Bulldozes Gaza War Cemetery, Damaging British and Australian Soldiers' Graves

Satellite imagery and witnesses document damage to Allied graves as Gaza killings continue despite ceasefire.

Feb 6,2026
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs

China Space-Time Information specializes in satellite navigation and communications, big data services, artificial intelligence development, and ...

Feb 6,2026
Amazon said on Thursday that it would spend $200 billion this year on data centers ... - Facebook

... satellite imagery. AWS CEO Matt Garman stated the investment will "fundamentally transform how federal agencies leverage supercomputing" and ...

Feb 6,2026
Review: Dwarf Lab's New Dwarf Mini Smart Telescope - Universe Today

... satellite streaks, etc. This step in image processing workflow is becoming compulsory in the modern era of a sky filled with Starlinks, and Dwarf ...

Feb 6,2026
Satellite Launches
Dynamic Space Operations | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Even today, satellites are launched into a specific orbit for the duration of their mission life. ... satellite imaging technology and how it has ...

Feb 6,2026
U.S. and Iran hold nuclear talks amid threats of regional war - The Washington Post

The Trump administration first launched talks aimed at securing a nuclear deal with Iran last year. ... satellite imagery. “While these negotiations are ...

Feb 6,2026
SpaceX next rocket launch ahead. Where, when to see in California - Ventura County Star

The rocket will carry a batch of 25 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. · The launch window opens at 9:05 a.m. ...

Feb 6,2026
A Whole Bunch of Satellites Could Crash Out of Orbit in Just 5 Days - Popular Mechanics

Yuichiro Chino//Getty Images. Here's what you'll learn when you read ... Every satellite launched into the limited amount of space surrounding ...

Feb 6,2026
The information you provided about ISRO preparing to launch GISAT-1A (also designated ...

... satellite, in the 2.2-tonne class, is a geostationary orbit (GEO) ... For visuals of the satellite or GSLV launches, here are some relevant images ...

Feb 6,2026
Despite initial setbacks, Chinese spaceflight expected to see exciting 2026

The launcher crashed back to the ground at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch ... Images were taken from inside and outside the station using the ...

Feb 6,2026
University launches space projects under national programme

Images captured by the satellite will be analysed on board using small AI models and an edge engine, reducing the need to transmit large volumes ...

Feb 6,2026
Kremlin: Russia, U.S. agreed nuclear talks should start soon - Spectrum News

... launch as part of a ground-based ... Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC show activity at one of the Iranian nuclear sites bombed.

Feb 6,2026
SpaceX Dragon arrives for Crew-12 launch | Space photo of the day for Feb. 6, 2026

... Images. Question 6. What fictional spaceship is SpaceX's reusable rocket ... satellite breaking apart into multiple pieces above earth. Russian ...

Feb 6,2026
NASA selects two Earth science missions for development - SpaceNews

EDGE, led by Helen Amanda Fricker of the University of California San Diego, will fly the first global satellite imaging laser altimeter system.

Feb 6,2026
Rocket Report: SpaceX probes upper stage malfunction; Starship testing resumes

Images from public viewing sites around the launch site showed a ... China launches satellite for Algeria. Algeria's Alsat-3B mission, an ...

Feb 6,2026
ESA reveals first images from the groundbreaking Meteosat Third Generation Sounder

See the first images from ESA's MTG Sounder. The new satellite uses hyperspectral data to create 3D atmospheric maps for better storm forecasting.

Feb 6,2026
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs

China has launched a new satellite short messaging service leveraging the BeiDou Navigation Satellite ... images. साताको लोकप्रीय. १ ...

Feb 6,2026
MethaneSAT Releases First Global Assessment of Oil and Gas Climate Pollution

Credit: Brandon Bell/Getty Images ... Hamburg didn't rule out the possibility that EDF may launch a satellite of its own again in the future.

Feb 6,2026
A Quick Note on Orbiting Data Centers - CEPA

As SpaceX introduces more powerful rockets or if it can use a “mesh” network approach using multiple small satellites, the cost could drop, but launch ...

Feb 6,2026
Ukraine Confirms First Combat Use of FP-5 Flamingo Cruise Missile on russia's Kapustin ...

... launches of intercontinental and intermediate-range missiles, including Oreshnik system. ... High-quality satellite imagery shows damage to a boiler ...

Feb 6,2026
Exolaunch to Deploy 57 Satellites on Transporter-16 Mission - ASDNews

Exolaunch, a global leader in launch mission management, satellite ... Imagery. Jan 29, 2026 · The 1st Airbus Pleiades Neo Next Satellite Will Be ...

Feb 6,2026
China launches satellite for emergency communications using BeiDou system - Anadolu

China has launched a new satellite-based short messaging service using the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS) to maintain communication during ...

Feb 6,2026
China launches BeiDou-based satellite short messaging service for emergency needs

BEIJING -- China has launched a new satellite short messaging service leveraging the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System (BDS), designed to provide ...

Feb 6,2026
Isro Readies Gisat-1A Launch After Past Setbacks - GKToday

The satellite will be launched aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket. Gisat satellites provide near real-time geo-imaging from geostationary orbit. The 2021 ...

Feb 6,2026
EO-MSI
Space Brief 6 Feb 2026 - KeepTrack

BlackSky Expands Its Global Footprint with New Defense Contracts ... Fun Fact: This satellite is part of the 'Dove' series, which is known ...

Feb 6,2026
Exolaunch to Deploy 57 Satellites on Transporter-16 Mission - ASDNews

... Satellite Imagery. Jan 29, 2026 · The 1st Airbus Pleiades Neo Next Satellite Will Be Launched Early 2028. Jan 27, 2026 ...

Feb 6,2026
Space Cybersecurity Leaders Convene in Singapore to Address Escalating Threats ... - Taiwan News

At CYSAT Asia, the Academy ran two workshops: "Cyber Threats Along the Lifecycle of a Satellite" by HelvetiSpace, which dove into the threats faced by ...

Feb 6,2026
Newly discovered comet C/2026 A1 (MAPS) raises the question: Could it be visible in daylight?

The new comet was first spotted when it was around 191 million miles from the Sun, shining in the constellation of Columba the Dove at a magnitude ...

Feb 6,2026
France charges four for targeting Musk's Starlink, X, and Grok in China espionage

... satellite signal display device capable of intercepting satellite ... See also Lenovo Legion Go: A New Addition to the Handheld Gaming Industry.

Feb 6,2026
Amazon stock price target lowered to $285 by Evercore ISI on capex concerns

... ISI. North America and International Operating Margins reached record ... Constellation Software. 2,477.22, -0.23%, 184.36K. Name, Last, Chg. %, Vol ...

Feb 6,2026
Craft communities and the challenges of climate change - DW.com

This handout satellite picture provided by Maxar Technologies and taken on June 24, 2025, · US and Iran set to hold nuclear talks in Oman.

Feb 6,2026
NGA Awards Vantor $5 Million for Global Change Detection Under Luno B Contract

Mobility Panasonic Avionics to Partner with China's Spacesail Constellation for IFC Capacity ... Vantor, which was called Maxar Intelligence until last ...

Feb 6,2026
Satellite Data Services Market to Reach USD 38.6 Billion by 2032, says Stratview Research

Leading companies include Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, Planet Labs PBC, ICEYE, Trimble Inc, and Satellite ...

Feb 6,2026
Hensoldt completes A400M drop trials of HADIS unmanned carrier, advancing plans for full ...

Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next satellite in 2028, strengthening Earth observation and geospatial services · Lockheed Martin has been awarded ...

Feb 6,2026
Global Constellation boards Canadian animation 'Dragoons' for international sales, releases first look

... neo-noir · Supporting Role. 'Supporting Role' review: Georgian star Dato ... Global Constellation boards Canadian animation 'Dragoons' for international ...

Feb 6,2026
Will a bright comet adorn our early spring sky? Why astronomers are getting excited about ... - MSN

When first sighted, it was located at 191 million miles (308 million km) from the sun; shining in the constellation of Colomba the Dove at a magnitude ...

Feb 6,2026
BlackSky to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results Conference Call - Barchart.com

BlackSky to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results Conference Call. BlackSky ... satellite constellation. With BlackSky, customers can see ...

Feb 6,2026
Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Cente - ASDNews

... Satellite Imagery. Jan 29, 2026 · The 1st Airbus Pleiades Neo Next Satellite Will Be Launched Early 2028. Jan 27, 2026 · NGC Boosters Ready to Launch ...

Feb 6,2026
Why We're Not Concerned Yet About Constellation Energy Corporation's (NASDAQ:CEG ...

Constellation Energy Corporation ( NASDAQ:CEG ) shareholders that were ... NEO logo · OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · about 1 month ago ...

Feb 6,2026
Lockheed Martin Awarded $328.5 Million Contract to Deliver Legion-ES Systems - I-Connect007

Maxar's Third and Fourth WorldView Legion ... as the next-generation WorldView Legion satellite imaging constellation payload provider.

Feb 6,2026
On This Date: Second 'Snowmageddon' Snowstorm Buried Mid-Atlantic | Weather.com

Left: A high-resolution visible satellite image shows the extensive snow cover over the mid-Atlantic on Feb. ... (Left: NASA Worldview; Right: Alex Wong ...

Feb 6,2026
Assessing Constellation Software's Valuation After AI Jitters And Leadership Change - Simply Wall St

Why Constellation Software is Back in Focus Constellation Software (TSX ... NEO logo · OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · about 1 month ago ...

Feb 6,2026
AI to track icebergs adrift at sea in boon for science - Space Daily

Using satellite images, the tool captures the distinct shape of ... BlackSky expands Gen 3 Assured deals with new defense customer · Raytheon ...

Feb 6,2026
BlackSky stock gets Buy rating reiteration from Canaccord on Gen-3 contract win

Jefferies also set a price target of $23.00, noting the expected benefits from a refreshed satellite constellation by the end of 2026. Get The News ...

Feb 6,2026
SAR
Scaling Seaweed Production across India through Combining Satellite and Oceonographic Data

EOS · LiDAR · Location & BI · AEC · Autonomous · Sustainable Development; More. News · Articles · Blogs · Hall of Fame · Videos · Events · Newsletter.

Feb 6,2026
JAXA admits that the H3 failed due to damage to the satellite section and fuel tube ... - ECOticias.com

India's failed PSLV C62 flight carried EOS N1, also known as Anvesha, a hyperspectral Earth observation mission designed to monitor crops, water ...

Feb 6,2026
ISRO gears up for GISAT-1A Launch; why is it significant? - The Week

That is exactly what India's new satellite, GISAT-1A (also called EOS-05), will do. The launch, which is expected to take place in the next one or two ...

Feb 6,2026
Satellite imagery of the 24 January 2026 Burangrang landslide. - Eos.org

Satellite image of the 24 January 2026 landslide on Gunung Burangrang in Indonesia. Image copyright Planet Labs ...

Feb 6,2026
Exolaunch to Deploy 57 Satellites on Transporter-16 Mission - ASDNews

... satellite integration, global shipping and customs clearance, and ... Capella Space, Pixxel and US Commercial Customer on SpaceX's NAOS ...

Feb 6,2026
R&D Satellite Build & Lab Maintenance Team Lead - ICEYE - Space Crew

ICEYE is hiring a R&D Satellite Build & Lab Maintenance Team Lead in Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland. Apply now and find thousands of space jobs on the ...

Feb 6,2026
Kymeta-JDI meta-surface to enable multi-band, multi-orbit satcomns | Electronics Weekly

... satellite frequencies. This collaboration aims to deliver the industry's first ... Ukraine, Sweden expand access to ICEYE's satellite SAR imagery.

Feb 6,2026
Canon launches its widest hybrid prime lens yet | Digital Camera World

Canon RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM is a seriously wide lens optimized for videography - and the most expensive RF hybrid yet.

Feb 6,2026
ISRO preps for Gisat-1A launch, sat expected to reach spaceport soon - MSN

... Satellite (Gisat-1) or EOS-03, Isro is geared up to launch Gisat-1A or EOS-05, as its replacement. Side Sleepers Get Achy Shoulders, Few Know ...

Feb 6,2026
Isro Readies Gisat-1A Launch After Past Setbacks - GKToday

Gisat-1A is also known as EOS-05 and replaces the failed EOS-03 mission. · The satellite will be launched aboard the GSLV-F17 rocket. · Gisat satellites ...

Feb 6,2026
Cathay Group Selects Thales Avionics Solutions to Equip its - ASDNews

Cathay Pacific will also equip its A330neos with AVIATOR S, Thales' cockpit satellite communications (SATCOM) system. ... PAZ-2 Satellite Imagery.

Feb 6,2026
Sky Perfect JSat: Revenue & oper income up for 9M to Dec 31, Japan MoD ISR constellation ...

Iceye: No IPO for now; $300M+ in 2025 rev, $3B valuation & expanding production; asks EU to go faster on secure comms · German military: We're ...

Feb 6,2026
Isro preps for Gisat-1A launch, sat expected to reach spaceport soon - The Times of India

... Satellite (Gisat-1) or EOS-03, Isro is geared up to launch Gisat-1A or EOS-05, as its replacement. Tired of too many ads?go ad free now. Gisat ...

Feb 6,2026
Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Cente - ASDNews

... Satellite Service to Power Precise Navigation Across Europe. Jan 28, 2026 · Airbus and Hisdesat Sign a Commercialisation Agreement for PAZ-2 Satellite ...

Feb 6,2026
Canon Announces the Canon RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM

Canon's newest L-series prime is here. The RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM delivers professional video features and incredible low-light performance in a ...

Feb 6,2026
ISRO Issues Radio Blackout Alert as Powerful Solar Flares Threaten India & Disrupt Satellite ...

... satellite provides ISRO with real-time information regarding solar ... Who is Matteo Paz? The Teen Who Mapped 1.5 Million Changing Objects in ...

Feb 6,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)