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
RELEASE: California Support for Crop-Based Biofuels Undermines Clean Fuels Program

Recent empirical studies—leveraging satellite imagery, econometric techniques, and improved datasets—show that biofuel-induced land-use change is ...

Dec 10,2025
Why Embracing Emerging Tech Is No Longer an Option for Utilities - TRC Companies

Advanced analytics, modern geospatial software and satellite imaging now enable utilities to detect wildfire hazards and risks in near real-time.

Dec 10,2025
Global Forest Watch - World Resources Institute

Big tech was vital because GFW 2.0 would not just rely upon advances in satellite imagery. It also relied upon cloud computing. There was no other ...

Dec 10,2025
Umbra and Italy's E-GEOS to Co-Develop Geospatial Intelligence Solutions - Via Satellite

Via Satellite. Search. Subscribe for Free. Subscribe. Via Satellite · Space Security Sentinel · News · Connectivity · Finance · Government/Military ...

Dec 10,2025
At COP30, Pomona Students Witness Climate Action First-Hand

During my time there, I learned about green guarantees, technological developments such as satellite imagery used to track tree coverage, and the ...

Dec 10,2025
A new PLOS Digital Health paper shows how pairing satellite imagery with artificial ...

Direct Relief (@DirectRelief). 39 views. A new PLOS Digital Health paper shows how pairing satellite imagery with artificial intelligence can help ...

Dec 10,2025
Early Warnings - NC Space Grant - NC State University

A new study from North Carolina State University and the United States Geological Survey details how satellite imagery may help identify forested ...

Dec 10,2025
Watch Rocket Lab launch Korean disaster-monitoring satellite today - Space

Rocket Lab will launch a Korean disaster-monitoring satellite today (Dec. 10), and you can watch the action live.

Dec 10,2025
Woman injured in Redwood City apartment fire dies days later

A satellite image of 1567 Gordon St., where Janet Linne Black was found severely injured in an apartment fire Nov. 30. Courtesy of Google Maps ...

Dec 10,2025
China launches satellites for UAE, Egypt, Nepal in fresh commercial space mission

The SPNEX satellite, also aboard the Lijian-1 rocket on Wednesday in the flight mission, was jointly developed by the Egyptian Space Agency and the ...

Dec 10,2025
Danish Intelligence Report Raises Concerns About Shifts in US Policy Under Trump

Two radio dishes, with a building and a stony cliff behind them. A Cold War-era American satellite station on a hill above the settlement of ...

Dec 10,2025
After Disaster, AI Models Support Rapid Understanding of Health Facility Damage

Aerial satellite images paired with artificial intelligence can support humanitarian response during disasters, according to findings from a new ...

Dec 10,2025
Helsing and Kongsberg plot multi-mission European defense space network - SpaceNews

... imagery to radio frequency emissions for satellite imagery analysis. The intelligence, surveillance and targeting (IST) constellation would also ...

Dec 10,2025
Kongsberg and Helsing Collaborate to Develop European Satellite Intelligence Constellation

Kongsberg and Helsing are developing a European satellite constellation for defense intelligence and surveillance by 2029, enhancing sovereignty.

Dec 10,2025
Satellite imagery can now predict how people commute across cities. No surveys. No mobile ...

Yohan (@yohaniddawela). 69 likes 3 replies. Satellite imagery can now predict how people commute across cities. No surveys. No mobile phone data.

Dec 10,2025
NATO selects FOSSA to accelerate its signal-intelligence satellites for Defence

... intelligence solutions for industrial and defense applications. FOSSA has experience in the design, development, and operation of satellite ...

Dec 10,2025
The Problems at Baikonur 31/6: A Launch Accident Is (Another) Headache For Russia's ...

In this 3D screen shot of a satellite image from Google Earth, Launchpad 31/6 of the Baikonur Cosmodrome complex is visible from space. Share ...

Dec 10,2025
Satellite Trails Threaten Space Telescope Observations

The dense white and black diagonal lines crisscrossing the image are satellite trails—resembling scratches left by satellites across the sky.

Dec 10,2025
Can ERA5 be used to study mesoscale convective system climatological characteristics?

... satellite observations using the same detection algorithm. This ... geospatial distribution of MCS precipitation. These findings clarify when ...

Dec 10,2025
Polish-French satellite cooperation gains momentum - Defence24.com

On November 26, 2025, a meeting of the Steering Committee for Polish-French Cooperation in Satellite Imagery Intelligence was held at the Imagery ...

Dec 10,2025
Satellite Launches
Watch Rocket Lab launch Korean disaster-monitoring satellite today - Space

Rocket Lab will launch a Korean disaster-monitoring satellite today (Dec. 10), and you can watch the action live.

Dec 10,2025
Iridium to Provide Satellite IoT to HD Hyundai Construction Equipment in Asia

Iridium Communications will integrate global satellite IoT connectivity ... Launch Arianespace Targets First Mission for Amazon Leo in Early 2026.

Dec 10,2025
Kongsberg and Helsing Invest in Intelligence Constellation for Europe - Via Satellite

Latest News. Imagery and Sensing Umbra and Italy's E-GEOS to Co-Develop ... Kongsberg's first satellite, Arvarker 1 N3X, launched in March 2025.

Dec 10,2025
Umbra and Italy's E-GEOS to Co-Develop Geospatial Intelligence Solutions - Via Satellite

The companies previously signed a reseller agreement in 2024 which gave e-GEOS non-exclusive global distribution rights to Umbra's SAR imagery. “Our ...

Dec 10,2025
China launches new TJS satellite, commercial Kinetica-1 lofts 9 spacecraft - SpaceNews

Eastern (1508 UTC) Dec. 9 from Xichang Satellite Launch Center in southwest China. ... No images or further information was provided, as is typical for ...

Dec 10,2025
The scramble to launch data centers into space is heating up - The Verge

Bloomberg via Getty Images ... The US-based company, Aetherflux, announced on Tuesday that it plans to launch its first data center satellite ...

Dec 10,2025
MatrixSpace launches portable counter-drone radar - GPS World

Photo: shironosov/iStock/Getty Images Plus/Getty Images · Swift, RugGear ... ESA's HydroGNSS satellites launched to scout for water · Photo: VBOX ...

Dec 10,2025
China Just Launched Their Most Advanced Aircraft Carrier With Electromagnetic Catapults

... launched its third aircraft carrier since 2012. ... It also brings an upgraded arsenal, which satellite imaging shows to include advanced missile ...

Dec 10,2025
NASA's loses contact with MAVEN Mars orbiter on the far side of the Red Planet - Space

... satellites. MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and ... A Chinese Long March 4B rocket launches the Yaogan 47 satellite to space from Jiuquan Satellite.

Dec 10,2025
Helsing and Kongsberg plot multi-mission European defense space network - SpaceNews

... imagery to radio frequency emissions for satellite imagery analysis. ... Post navigation. Previous China launches new TJS satellite, commercial ...

Dec 10,2025
Ofcom paves way for D2D satellite services to take off in UK - DCD - Data Center Dynamics

– Getty Images. As such, Ofcom has approved mobile and satellite ... The telco has plans to launch O2 Satellite in the first half of next year.

Dec 10,2025
KONGSBERG and Helsing team up to realise European space ambitions

... launch partner for this Norwegian-German initiative. This comprehensive approach, from sensor and satellite production to launch, will include ...

Dec 10,2025
Polish-French satellite cooperation gains momentum - Defence24.com

On November 26, 2025, a meeting of the Steering Committee for Polish-French Cooperation in Satellite Imagery Intelligence was held at the Imagery ...

Dec 10,2025
Next-Generation Satellite Imagery Tasking - Vantor

All six birds are now fully operational, and since the launch of our first WorldView Legion® satellite last year, they have collected over 311 million ...

Dec 10,2025
Rocket Lab Stock Is Climbing -- Electron Mission Moves Ahead of Schedule - TradingView

Rocket Lab RKLB stock rose about 2% on Wednesday after the company moved a South Korean Earth-imaging mission into its next available launch ...

Dec 10,2025
China launches satellites for UAE, Egypt, Nepal in fresh commercial space mission

China on Wednesday launched the Lijian-1 Y11 carrier rocket with nine satellites onboard, including three international payloads for the United ...

Dec 10,2025
Satellite Trails Threaten Space Telescope Observations

Satellite Trails Threaten Space Telescope Observations. NASA study predicts satellite trails to affect up to 96% of images by 2040 ... launch late next ...

Dec 10,2025
Sidus Space announces successful bus-level commissioning of hybrid 3D printed, AI ...

The satellite's sensor suite includes high-resolution imaging systems ... launch in late 2026, to increase capacity and broaden available service ...

Dec 10,2025
Wherobots introduces RasterFlow, a major step forward in Earth Intelligence that makes ...

Wherobots has announced RasterFlow, a new offering that makes productionizing AI models for working with satellite and overhead imagery far easier ...

Dec 10,2025
Chinese tech company enters nature-based carbon data field

... launch than traditional satellites. The company uses optical and radar ... images, the executive said. The satellite constellation follows a ...

Dec 10,2025
EO-MSI
Planet Reports Financial Results for Third Quarter of Fiscal Year 2026 - Business Wire

... PlanetScope data in support of the agency's Earth science mission. In ... SuperDove constellation over time. Bedrock Research: In November ...

Dec 10,2025
Next-Generation Satellite Imagery Tasking - Vantor

WorldView 2D upgraded tasking system eliminates uncertainty with automated validation, transparent pricing, and 70-80% fulfillment rates.

Dec 10,2025
Spot these three Salish constellations this winter - UBC News

... constellation in modern astronomy. Salish-speaking communities ... In the Salish worldview, the sky reflects the earth, so patterns in the ...

Dec 10,2025
Space Business Review November 2025 - Aviation - United States - Mondaq

(Intuitive Machines) announced a definitive agreement to acquire satellite manufacturer Lanteris Space LLC (formerly Maxar Space Systems) in a ...

Dec 10,2025
Space Robotics Market to Reach USD 10.1 Billion by 2032, Growing - openPR.com

Maxar Technologies - 8.9%: Known for satellite robotics, high-resolution imaging, and lunar payload delivery systems supporting global space missions.

Dec 10,2025
Spacechips drives imaginative new AI-enabled satellite applications - TimesTech

Spacechips drives imaginative new AI-enabled satellite applications ... BlackSky quickly delivers first very high-resolution images. LEAVE A ...

Dec 10,2025
France/Russia/United States • In Lomé, Russian ship suspected of carrying uranium under ...

A handout satellite image made available by Maxar shows a ... Maxar, Airbus, BlackSky: competition heats up for satellite alternatives to GPS.

Dec 10,2025
Fidelis backed Navium Marine launches satellite pre-launch consortium at Lloyd's

... Constellation Consortium, the largest satellite pre-launch consortium ... Insurers expected to introduce GenAI liability exclusions: Evercore ISI.

Dec 10,2025
FCC Opens Review for SpaceX's 15000-Satellite VLEO Constellation - SatNews

FCC Opens Review for SpaceX's 15,000-Satellite VLEO Constellation ... Rocket Lab launches BlackSky Gen-3 beating the annual launch record ...

Dec 10,2025
SAR
e-GEOS and Umbra Expand Partnership to Jointly Develop SAR Intelligence Solutions

The agreement moves beyond simple data distribution, positioning the companies to integrate their respective satellite constellations into a unified ...

Dec 10,2025
Kongsberg and Helsing Invest in Intelligence Constellation for Europe - Via Satellite

Latest News. Imagery and Sensing Umbra and Italy's E-GEOS to Co-Develop Geospatial Intelligence Solutions · Connectivity UK Regulator Ofcom Approves ...

Dec 10,2025
Space42 plans $600M in capex for its Equatys D2D joint venture with Viasat, outlines ...

... constellation that other operators will seek to join. At its Nov. 25 ... EquatysIceyeSpace42ViaSat Inc. 0 comment. 0. FacebookTwitterPinterest ...

Dec 10,2025
Umbra and Italy's E-GEOS to Co-Develop Geospatial Intelligence Solutions - Via Satellite

... Umbra's constellation. Both entities operate synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellations. e-GEOS is the exclusive licensee of data for ...

Dec 10,2025
Scientist 'confirms' hidden mega-city underneath Pyramids of Giza - LADbible

Speaking on Jesse Michels' American Alchemy podcast, he explained that satellite operators, Umbra, Capella Space, ICEYE and Italy's Cosmo-SkyMed all ...

Dec 10,2025
Nvidia-Backed Startup Becomes First Company to Train an Advanced AI Model in Space

Interestingly, Starcloud is already testing this by running AI on satellite images from Capella Space. Its next launch in 2026 will carry multiple ...

Dec 10,2025
ICEYE strikes deal with Munich Re unit to expand cat intel | Intelligent Insurer

Blast off: Navium launches Constellation, targets satellite pre-launch risk.

Dec 10,2025
e-GEOS and Umbra team up to deliver innovative geospatial intelligence solutions

... Umbra's agile SAR constellation and imagery. In doing so, Umbra and e-GEOS will deliver unprecedented global coverage, giving users faster, more ...

Dec 10,2025
Nvidia-backed Starcloud trains first AI model in space, orbital data centers - CNBC

Starcloud is working on customer workloads by running inference on satellite imagery from observation company Capella Space, which could help spot ...

Dec 10,2025
SkyFi and ICEYE US Launch "ICEYE US Direct" Platform to Streamline Access to Advanced ...

On-Demand Tasking: Users can directly task ICEYE's SAR satellite constellation for new imagery collection over any location worldwide. All-Weather ...

Dec 10,2025
Raytheon, Amazon to Collaborate on Cloud-Based Satellite Operations - The Defense Post

ICEYE Satellite to Become Portugal Air Force's First Directly Owned Spacecraft. The Portuguese Air Force has signed a contract with ICEYE to ...

Dec 10,2025
Raytheon, Amazon to Collaborate on Cloud-Based Satellite Operations - The Defense Post

Lajes air base, Portugal. ICEYE Satellite to Become Portugal Air Force's First Directly Owned Spacecraft. December 3, 2025. Sknopy's SkyFortress ...

Dec 10,2025
The Constellation of Living Memorials: land, memory, ecology and conservation

The Constellation of Living Memorials: land, memory, ecology and conservation ... Ana Corina Sosa acepta el Premio Nobel de la Paz en lugar de su madre,.

Dec 10,2025
Geothermal Startup Fervo Attracts New Investors Including Google - Bloomberg

ICEYE SAR Satellite over the US. Satellite Startup Iceye Raises at $2.8 Billion Valuation As Europe Boosts Defense Spending. Tencent-Backed Fintech ...

Dec 10,2025
Norway and Germany Team Up for European Sovereign Satellite Constellation by 2029

Notably, Finland's ICEYE has capitalized on this urgency, securing contracts for the sale of eight radar satellites to various European countries.

Dec 10,2025
Kongsberg, Helsing team up for European satellite-intel constellation - Defense News

Finland's ICEYE has been one of the most visible beneficiaries, selling at least eight radar satellites this year to European countries seeking a ...

Dec 10,2025
Blast off: Navium launches Constellation, targets satellite pre-launch risk. | Intelligent Insurer

Blast off: Navium launches Constellation, targets satellite pre-launch risk. ... ICEYE ...

Dec 10,2025
ICEYE, Munich Re's Risk Management Partners team up for catastrophe solutions

ICEYE, a provider of satellite-powered disaster management solutions, and Munich Re's Risk Management Partners (RMP) have entered a worldwide ...

Dec 10,2025
Finnish modern symphonic metal band Inherited Time released the first single from their ...

Capella, the brightest star in the constellation Auriga, served as the inspiration for the song. Listen to the single on major music platforms ...

Dec 10,2025
Landslides triggered by Cyclone Ditwah in Sri Lanka - Eos.org

This image shows the aftermath of the event. Image copyright Planet Labs, used with permission, dated 30 November 2025. Satellite images are revealing ...

Dec 10,2025
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)