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.

Advanced tools and applications

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

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
Polish eyes in the sky: How Satim is transforming military satellite reconnaissance - XYZ

Almost every image can be used. By comparison, up to 80% of traditional satellite photos are unreadable due to weather conditions or nighttime.

Jan 19,2026
OroraTech launch four SAFIRE Gen4 sensors aboard Kepler satellite

By hosting SAFIRE Gen4 on Kepler's next-generation satellite network, OroraTech enables near-real-time delivery of wildfire intelligence from space to ...

Jan 19,2026
USF-led study: AI helps reveal global surge in floating algae - EurekAlert!

... satellite pixel — a task not possible without artificial intelligence. ... satellite images of the ocean, focusing on 13 zones and five types of ...

Jan 19,2026
The world is being “carpeted” by solar panels — Map shows how many installations are ...

... satellite imagery taken from Q4 2017 to Q2 2024. In this study, the ... (2025) Global Renewables Watch: A Temporal Dataset of Solar and Wind Energy ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine Expands Iceye SAR Imagery Use For Tactical Application | Aviation Week Network

Ukraine and Iceye have signed an agreement to expand the embattled country's access to high-resolution SAR satellite imagery on an expedited ...

Jan 19,2026
Hydrosat Raises $60 Million To Scale Thermal Satellite Data And AI Analytics - iGrow News

... satellite imagery, regardless of time of day. “We're entering a new era where space-based intelligence is becoming fundamental infrastructure ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine and ICEYE sign expanded agreement to provide high-resolution SAR satellite ...

The agreement secures continued access to a high volume of high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite imagery to support the Ukrainian Armed ...

Jan 19,2026
AI helps reveal global surge in floating algae - Phys.org

To conduct the study, Hu and his colleagues used artificial intelligence to scan 1.2 million satellite images of the ocean, focusing on 13 zones and ...

Jan 19,2026
Landslides triggered by Typhoon Doksuri in China in July 2023 - Eos.org

LinkedIn. Satellite image of a part of northern China after Typhoon Doksuri showing debris flows in populated areas.

Jan 19,2026
Building a Climate Monitoring Search Engine with Qdrant ... - Twitter

Satellite imagery is a goldmine for climate science - but searching millions of tiles for patterns like wildfires has historically been slow and ...

Jan 19,2026
Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince | RochesterFirst

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country's ...

Jan 19,2026
China lofts AlSat 3A imaging craft for Algeria - Space Daily

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 - China has launched a Long March 2C rocket carrying a remote sensing satellite for Algeria, extending long ...

Jan 19,2026
It's time for a humanitarian efficiency revolution. Here's how | World Economic Forum

Satellite imagery, climate models and AI-driven risk mapping can help facilitate early humanitarian action. Image: REUTERS/Amr Abdallah Dalsh ...

Jan 19,2026
Integration of geospatial techniques and artificial neural networks for groundwater potential ...

... satellite imagery (Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS, Sentinel-2, SRTM DEM) and field observations. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) model assigned nonlinear ...

Jan 19,2026
AU hails Algeria's earth observation satellite launch | APAnews - African Press Agency

AU Commission hails Algeria's successful Alsat 3A satellite launch as advancement for Africa's geospatial and satellite technology capabilities.

Jan 19,2026
Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince - KSAT

DUBAI – Hackers disrupted Iranian state television satellite transmissions to air footage supporting the country's exiled crown prince and calling on ...

Jan 19,2026
Chinese Fishing Boats Assemble in Vast Formation Near Taiwan - The Maritime Executive

The pattern was detected on AIS and verified using satellite imaging. The scale is far larger than any previously-identified Chinese maritime ...

Jan 19,2026
Driving Japan's digital future: Fujitsu's full-stack development for sovereign platform

... satellite imagery to the ground. In Defense & Next-Generation Communications, Fujitsu is advancing critical technologies to enhance future safety ...

Jan 19,2026
AU Commission Chair Hails Algeria's Successful Launch of Alsat-3A Satellite

... satellite, describing it as a major milestone for Africa's space and geospatial development. In a statement, Youssouf said the achievement ...

Jan 19,2026
Diffraqtion raises $4.2M to field quantum camera satellites - SatNews

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Quantum imaging startup Diffraqtion has secured $4.2 million in pre-seed funding to deploy satellite constellations equipped ...

Jan 19,2026
Satellite Launches
Birmingham Uni launches rare earth magnet recycling facility - Electronics Weekly

... launched a facility for separating and. ... Keep up with developments relating to space technology - satellite technology, PNT, thermal imaging, SatIoT, ...

Jan 19,2026
China launches internet satellites into space - Anadolu Ajansı

China launches internet satellites into space. 19th group of low-orbit ... Anadolu Images · Energy Terminal · AA Academy · Green Line · Discrimination ...

Jan 19,2026
Polish eyes in the sky: How Satim is transforming military satellite reconnaissance - XYZ

... satellites with commercially available imagery. However, SAR images ... The first MikroSAR satellites were launched into orbit in November 2024.

Jan 19,2026
European Defense Fund's PRECISE project officially launched to strengthen european ... - WebWire

By exploiting satellite imagery, aerial and ground collected data, from EO, SAR, LiDAR and other sensors, the project will enable the automated ...

Jan 19,2026
OroraTech launch four SAFIRE Gen4 sensors aboard Kepler satellite

... satellites currently in orbit, making it the most widely deployed commercial thermal imaging solution to date. Integrated with Kepler satellites ...

Jan 19,2026
India's first Public-Private Earth Imaging Satellite could launch sooner than expected!

India is preparing to launch its first major public-private Earth imaging satellite mission. This project will use advanced satellites to capture ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine Expands Iceye SAR Imagery Use For Tactical Application | Aviation Week Network

Ukraine and Iceye have signed an agreement to expand the embattled country's access to high-resolution SAR satellite imagery on an expedited ...

Jan 19,2026
Hydrosat Raises $60 Million To Scale Thermal Satellite Data And AI Analytics - iGrow News

With two thermal infrared satellites currently in orbit, Hydrosat's imaging capacity exceeds 10 million square kilometers per day. This represents a ...

Jan 19,2026
China Wants to Launch 200,000 Satellites — and SpaceX Could Face Real Competition

The team used satellite imagery, computer modeling, and an array of different methods to map the ice sheets and glacial flows across the continent.

Jan 19,2026
Amazon Leo signals year-end availability of services in SA - ITWeb

... launch more satellites and add coverage and capacity to the system.” In ... Their ability to offer low-latency communications and high-quality imaging ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine and ICEYE sign expanded agreement to provide high-resolution SAR satellite ...

The agreement secures continued access to a high volume of high-resolution Synthetic Aperture Radar satellite imagery to support the Ukrainian Armed ...

Jan 19,2026
China And Algeria Strengthen Space Alliance With AlSat-3A Satellite Launch - Orbital Today

AlSat-3A was built by the China Academy of Space Technology. It is an optical remote-sensing satellite intended to gather imagery and data for ...

Jan 19,2026
China lofts AlSat 3A imaging craft for Algeria - Space Daily

Tokyo, Japan (SPX) Jan 19, 2026 - China has launched a Long March 2C rocket carrying a remote sensing satellite for Algeria, extending long ...

Jan 19,2026
Eutelsat Signs Launch Agreement with MaiaSpace for Future LEO Satellite Launches

Eutelsat and MaiaSpace have signed a multi-launch agreement for the future launch of Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO constellation satellites.

Jan 19,2026
#SpaceWatchGL Insights: In 2025, China Launched Nearly 400 Satellites....but Who Built ...

In 2025, China launched almost 400 satellites, with just over half satellites built and developed by CAST (and its subsidiaries) and SECM.

Jan 19,2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida - MSN

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying 29 Starlink satellites launched from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Sunday, Jan. 18, 2026.

Jan 19,2026
SpaceX launches Starlink satellites from Space Coast - WKMG

SpaceX launched another Falcon 9 rocket from the Florida coast on Sunday evening.

Jan 19,2026
China's satellite data shows iceberg A23a in final stage of disintegration_InKunming

Satellite images clearly showed blue meltwater accumulating in the ... Malaysia launched a national office here on Thursday to regulate and ...

Jan 19,2026
Amazon and Starlink Set Up Satellite Internet Rivalry in Africa - Ecofin Agency

Alsat-3A was launched into orbit from China as Algeria's third Earth observation satellite The satellite provides high-resolution imagery to support..

Jan 19,2026
Diffraqtion raises $4.2M to field quantum camera satellites - SatNews

SOMERVILLE, Mass. — Quantum imaging startup Diffraqtion has secured $4.2 million in pre-seed funding to deploy satellite constellations equipped ...

Jan 19,2026
EO-MSI
Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown prince

American Legion Baseball · AP Winter Olympics · Outdoors · Arts ... Hackers target Iran state TV's satellite transmission to broadcast exiled crown ...

Jan 19,2026
Why AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) Is Up 18.5% After Landing SHIELD Prime Role In MDA's ...

... satellite capabilities. Outshine the giants: these 24 early-stage ... OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · 17 days ago. Undervalued Key Player ...

Jan 19,2026
Starlink Mini Powers Remote Road Trips As Rivals Emerge - Grand Pinnacle Tribune

Amazon, too, is in the mix with its Kuiper satellite network, which Eversore ISI analyst Mark Mahaney called "the only realistic challenger" to ...

Jan 19,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M To Scale Satellite Insight Platform - FindArticles

Satellite capacity has exploded, with thousands of spacecraft ... Planet, Maxar, BlackSky, Capella Space, Umbra, and others have pushed ...

Jan 19,2026
Elon Musk says he's refocusing on Tesla. Satellite images show Musk's growing business ... - MSN

©MAXAR / Getty Images. Since 2020, all of Elon Musk's major companies have moved their headquarters to Texas. Satellite images show how SpaceX ...

Jan 19,2026
Casino.com Reports on NASA's Revolutionary Geocorona Satellite in Western Sahara

... satellite will maintain a continuous, unobstructed view of ... isi-consolideaza-poziatia-in-romania · y-news-29030695-2026-01-18-betsson ...

Jan 19,2026
RedDog's Unrelated Disconnection in the British Indian Ocean Territory - 8 News NOW

... neosurfaz-ile-azerbaycan-ucun-ehamiyetli-idman-hadisi-2026-australian-open-in-gozlenen-cekilisi · y-news-28864872-2026-01-18-rivalo-outshines ...

Jan 19,2026
SAR
France's Space Intelligence: Where Does “Two-Thirds of Ukraine's Intelligence” Come From?

A European Vega launch vehicle, equipped with a Ukrainian RD-843 fourth stage, placed the CERES satellite constellation ... ICEYE satellite, December 6, ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine expands partnership with ICEYE for tactical satellite intelligence - AeroTime

Ukraine broadens access to ICEYE's SAR satellite imagery for day-night, all-weather tactical intelligence as European partners deepen space-based ...

Jan 19,2026
Why Is SpaceX Lowering Its Starlink Satellites? - Orbital Today

... constellation ever. The shift, announced by Starlink engineering vice ... Companies such as Planet and Capella Space reported accelerated ...

Jan 19,2026
ICEYE expands space intelligence cooperation with Ukrainian MoD - Defensehere

ICEYE, Europe's leading defense technology company and operator of the world's largest Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite constellation, ...

Jan 19,2026
Polish eyes in the sky: How Satim is transforming military satellite reconnaissance - XYZ

In recent years, the boom in space-based solutions has further boosted the popularity of SAR imagery – mainly because Iceye, the company founded ...

Jan 19,2026
General Atomics demonstrates autonomous aerial intercept using MQ-20 Avenger in ...

Ukraine and ICEYE sign expanded agreement ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine Expands Iceye SAR Imagery Use For Tactical Application | Aviation Week Network

Ukraine and Iceye have signed an agreement to expand the embattled country's access to high-resolution SAR satellite imagery on an expedited ...

Jan 19,2026
Mild 2.8-magnitude earthquake shakes New Delhi - News.az

The PSLV, carrying the EOS-N1 military satellite along with 15 other payloads, lifted off from India's Satish Dhaw... One dead, multiple injured ...

Jan 19,2026
Ukraine and ICEYE sign expanded agreement to provide high-resolution SAR satellite ...

ICEYE and a customer within the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine have signed a new agreement to expand cooperation in space-based intelligence.

Jan 19,2026
Landslides triggered by Typhoon Doksuri in China in July 2023 - Eos.org

Satellite image of a part of northern China after Typhoon Doksuri showing debris flows in populated areas. Image copyright Planet Labs, captured on 16 ...

Jan 19,2026
Iceye to Deliver Sovereign Space-based Intelligence For The Swedish Armed Forces

... satellite imagery that functions irrespective of weather or light. At the capital city signing, documents were executed by Brigadier General Carl ...

Jan 19,2026
Eutelsat Signs Launch Agreement with MaiaSpace for Future LEO Satellite Launches

News · Sentinel-6 'Ocean Guardian' Satellite Slated to Launch in November 2025. by Joshua Faleti. July 24, 2025. Airbus to build PAZ-2 Satellites ...

Jan 19,2026
When the Sky Stumbles, the Spirit Soars - The Statesman

... satellite, LACHIT-1 hurts. Yet, in a country that reveres both ... PSLV-C62 failed to place defence satellite EOS-N1 into orbit after a ...

Jan 19,2026
Satellite centres of advanced endoscopy institute planned - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

... Images Special Reports Aurora Dawn News · Eos/Icon/Young World Cityfm89 Herald Teeli. Copyright © 2026, Dawn. NewsKit Publishing Platform by ...

Jan 19,2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches 29 Starlink satellites to orbit from Florida | Space

The service also supports wifi on airlines and direct cell-to-satellite calls for select providers. ... An Indian PSLV rocket launches the EOS-N1 ...

Jan 19,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M To Scale Satellite Insight Platform - FindArticles

Planet, Maxar, BlackSky, Capella Space, Umbra, and others have pushed image cadence and resolution forward, while specialty players are bringing ...

Jan 19,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M To Scale Satellite Insight Platform - FindArticles

Satellite capacity has exploded, with thousands of spacecraft ... Planet, Maxar, BlackSky, Capella Space, Umbra, and others have pushed ...

Jan 19,2026
SSA

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