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
Russian Nuclear Bases Caught on Satellite: From Belarus to Kamchatka - YouTube

... satellite images reviewed by Business Insider. Captured by Planet Labs, the images show newly constructed bunkers, reinforced perimeters, missile ...

Jul 18,2025
Bay Area Indian Teen Presents Deepfake Detection Research At World GIS Conference

... satellite images (geospatial deepfakes) using artificial intelligence. With the growing risk of tampered maps and altered satellite data, his ...

Jul 18,2025
Tropical cyclones trigger malaria spikes in Madagascar - Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance

Satellite image of the very intense tropical cyclone Freddy ...

Jul 18,2025
Scientists discover changes to the polar vortex that are plunging parts of US into deep freeze

Satellite image of southeastern US with snow clouds of it. A satellite image showing a large area of low pressure, from the polar vortex, moving ...

Jul 18,2025
Planet Signs Contract Extension with Colombia's IGAC for Land Management - Via Satellite

Technology Kratos Reports 5G NTN Demonstration Over Intelsat GEO Satellite ... Planet's geospatial intelligence partner Procalculo also supports ...

Jul 18,2025
Scientists send enormous satellite into space to scan over a trillion organisms around the globe

The 1.3-ton satellite works similar to a CT scan, able to provide scientists with deeper insight into the health of rainforests. This could help them ...

Jul 18,2025
New pier completed at North Korea rocket launch site, satellite imagery shows - MSN

Satellite imagery indicates that a new maritime pier has been completed at North Korea's key rocket station. Image credit: Planet Labs PBC.

Jul 18,2025
Quadsat Raises $5.8M as it Targets Defense Market - Via Satellite

Connectivity Canadian Telco Rogers Launches Satellite Messaging Trial With Starlink ... Image of a teleport ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Technology is Changing How We Fight Wildfire - AerialFire

Rather than simply providing raw imagery, this technology integrates multiple data streams, including thermal satellite input, past fire behavior, and ...

Jul 18,2025
Teen Debuts AI Tool To Detect Satellite Deepfakes At World's Largest GIS Conference

... intelligence to detect manipulated satellite images, a rising threat known as “geospatial deepfakes.” Anand, a rising junior, presented his ...

Jul 18,2025
North Korea Bans Foreigners From Beach Resort After Lavrov Trip - Bloomberg

The 38 North program at the Stimson Center said "the resort is undoubtedly open, but it's not quite finished yet", citing satellite imagery showing ...

Jul 18,2025
Now is the time for more, not less, storm data - Brookings Register

But we do know that DOD satellite data is important for visualizing ... satellite imagery can't capture. Erica Grow Cei, a National Weather ...

Jul 18,2025
Elon Musk's Starlink internet works great if hardly anyone uses it - The Washington Post

A new analysis digs into the irony of satellite internet: The more popular it becomes, the worse speeds and reliability tend to get.

Jul 18,2025
KoBold Inks Congo Exploration Deal to Grow US Mineral Access - Bloomberg

Maxar satellite image ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Imagery Shows Stormy Day Across US - The Australian

Timelapse satellite imagery captured several thunderstorms across the United States on Thursday, July 17. The Cooperative Institute for Research ...

Jul 18,2025
CSIS Korea Chair - X

Satellite imagery analysis from @csis Beyond Parallel reveals North Korea's first true ballistic missile submarine—No. 841 Hero Kim Kun Ok—still ...

Jul 18,2025
What to know about the extreme U.S. flooding — and ways to stay safe - Science News

A satellite image of heavy precipitation over the United States on July 17, which may. On the morning of July 17, heavy rains sweep across the ...

Jul 18,2025
Pakistan again extends closure of sole runway at Rahim Yar Khan airbase that was struck ...

Satellite images released by the Indian armed forces in the days that followed the airstrikes show a large and deep crater in the middle of the Rahim ...

Jul 18,2025
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Ramps Up Rocket Launch Site, Slams US Ally Japan | Spotlight

past failures. Recent satellite imagery has revealed the completion of a new maritime pier at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, a key ...

Jul 18,2025
Georgia Tech Study Hopes to Prevent Cislunar Collisions as Moon Missions Increase

Image furnished by NASA. Jul 18 ... “Our analysis suggests that satellite operators must perform up to four maneuvers annually for each satellite ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Launches
NASA Tests Scalable Satellite Tech to Launch Sensors Quicker

The optical payload is located at the top in this picture with the two solar arrays, stowed for launch, flanking the lower half sides of the satellite ...

Jul 18,2025
NASA's TRACERS Mission Targeting Launch on July 22

NASA's TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) spacecraft are targeting launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 ...

Jul 18,2025
Tesla finally launches in India, but the world's third largest car market has been a graveyard ...

Elon Musk is taking his brand Tesla to the Indian market for the first time. Alain Jocard—AFP via Getty Images ... Taking delivery of a Tesla Model Y ...

Jul 18,2025
Planet Signs Contract Extension with Colombia's IGAC for Land Management - Via Satellite

Connectivity Canadian Telco Rogers Launches Satellite Messaging Trial With Starlink ... Planet imagery over Santa Marta, Colombia, collected in 2016.

Jul 18,2025
York Space Systems to Acquire Ground Network Provider Atlas Space Operations

Latest News. Imagery and Sensing Planet Signs Contract ... Connectivity Canadian Telco Rogers Launches Satellite Messaging Trial With Starlink.

Jul 18,2025
$88 Climate-Tracking Satellite Backed by Jeff Bezos Goes Missing in Space - Knewz

As part of this effort, the "MethaneSat" satellite was launched aboard an Elon Musk SpaceX rocket in 2024. However, the $88 million satellite, backed ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Technology is Changing How We Fight Wildfire - AerialFire

Recently, we launched the world's first satellite constellation dedicated specifically to wildfire detection — eight new satellites that will come ...

Jul 18,2025
BREAKING NEWS: Possible Starship Salvage Operation Underway off Coast of Mexico

The vessel has been maintaining position near an area where rocket debris from a previous launch may have drifted due to ocean currents. This is a ...

Jul 18,2025
China's Commercial ZQ-2E Launched 6 Satellites, Rocket Sheds Tiles - Yahoo

Many of them were launched over the last 20 or so years. Others, such as the Geostationary Littoral Imaging and Monitoring Radiometer (G. Futurism.

Jul 18,2025
NASA and ISRO Prepare to Launch NISAR Earth-Mapping Satellite | Technology News

NASA's NISAR Earth-observing satellite (concept image shown) will carry an advanced dual-band radar system to map Earth's land and ice in 3D.

Jul 18,2025
Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites from Vandenberg SFB scheduled for Friday evening

... space force base". Jump to comments ↓. Author Profile Photo. Andrew Gillies. Andrew is a Digital Content Producer and Assignment Desk Assistant for ...

Jul 18,2025
Cyprus Gravity Space-1 mission tests how much drift is allowed during 90-day period of ...

Geospatial imagery/analytics provider BlackSky lowers 2025 revenue ... satellite, launch and the international space businesses. He is a must ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Confirms Strike on Protected Building at Russia's Energia Plant - Militarnyi

Satellite imagery has confirmed a strike on a secured facility at the ... In the Zaporizhzhia region, a Ukrainian MiG-29 fighter jet launched ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Images Show Boost to North Korea's Rocket Production - Newsweek

North Korea attempted to launch satellite rockets at least nine times between 1998 and 2024, with three considered successful.

Jul 18,2025
Geospatial imagery/analytics provider BlackSky lowers 2025 revenue forecast by 12 ...

Satellite · Launch · Login · Subscribe · Space Intel Report · MobilityNewsSatellite Operators. Geospatial imagery/analytics provider BlackSky lowers ...

Jul 18,2025
ISRO aims at July-end launch for NISAR mission - Deccan Herald

Both the satellite and the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV) are currently at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre. “We are targeting a July-end launch ...

Jul 18,2025
NASA is launching a rocket from New Mexico: Here's the mission - El Paso Times

... spacecraft that may launch on an orbital flight from major spaceports ... The mission is the first to carry technology combining a standard imager ...

Jul 18,2025
SpaceX Falcon 9 O3b mPower-D - Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

SpaceX Falcon 9 O3b mPower-D. Space Launch Complex 40 - Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ... The O3b mPOWER satellites are improved second-generation ...

Jul 18,2025
A lunar eclipse steals the show in a colorful sky | Space photo of the day for July 18, 2025

... launches, skywatching events and more! Contact me with news and offers ... Satellite images track Grand Canyon wildfires burning across thousands of ...

Jul 18,2025
What to know: ULA Vulcan rocket to launch mission from Cape Canaveral - Florida Today

While an official launch date is yet to come, ULA has announced the upcoming USSF-106 mission for the Space Force. The company has also teased photos ...

Jul 18,2025
EO-MSI
North Korea's Kim Jong Un Ramps Up Rocket Launch Site, Slams US Ally Japan | Spotlight

... Satellite Launching Station, a key facility for rocket and spy satellite tests. ... neo New 1.2M views · 11:09 · Go to channel. Why Russia is worried ...

Jul 18,2025
Uvea, Wallis and Futuna - NASA Earthdata

Visit Worldview to visualize near real-time imagery and historical imagery from NASA's ESDIS; find more imagery in our Worldview weekly image archive.

Jul 18,2025
Planet Signs Contract Extension with Colombia's IGAC for Land Management - Via Satellite

IGAC also has access to tasking Planet's SkySat satellites, PlanetScope Monitoring, and the company's education and research offerings for governments ...

Jul 18,2025
Why BlackSky Technology Stock Just Crashed - The Globe and Mail

In June 2025, EchoStar selected Maxar Space Systems to build a new satellite. The strategic move highlights the company's commitment to delivering ...

Jul 18,2025
Why BlackSky Technology Stock Just Crashed - Yahoo Finance

Ten days ago, spy satellite company BlackSky Technology (NYSE: BKSY) rocketed higher on some kind words from H.C. Wainwright analyst Scott Buck, who ...

Jul 18,2025
Why BlackSky Technology Stock Just Crashed | Nasdaq

10 stocks we like better than BlackSky Technology ›. Timing, they say, is everything. Ten days ago, spy satellite company BlackSky Technology (NYSE ...

Jul 18,2025
Earth Science Data Roundup: July 2025 | NASA Earthdata

Worldview · Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) ... satellite measurements and numerical cloud models. The TRMM-LBA ...

Jul 18,2025
Why BlackSky Technology Stock Just Crashed | The Motley Fool

Timing, they say, is everything. Ten days ago, spy satellite company BlackSky Technology (BKSY -20.79%) rocketed higher on some kind words from ...

Jul 18,2025
BBC Verify Live: Behind the scenes of Gaza investigation and analysing Syria footage

... satellite imagery. We also found corroborating footage of the young ... This is where specialist companies like Planet and Maxar can help, as ...

Jul 18,2025
BlackSky Announces Pricing of Upsized $160 Million Convertible Senior Notes Offering

... BlackSky's Class A common stock, at BlackSky's election. The conversion ... satellite constellation. With BlackSky , customers can see ...

Jul 18,2025
Pakistan again extends closure of sole runway at Rahim Yar Khan airbase that was struck ...

... satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows building and other damage at Rahim Yar Khan in Pakistan. ... Satellite images released by the ...

Jul 18,2025
Iran bomb damage intel suggests two nuclear sites not 'obliterated' - The Washington Post

A satellite image shows a close-up of a crater at the underground ... (Maxar Technologies/Reuters). By Alex Horton. and. Warren P. Strobel. The ...

Jul 18,2025
Geospatial imagery/analytics provider BlackSky lowers 2025 revenue forecast by 12 ...

Satellite · Launch · Login · Subscribe. Top Posts. Geospatial imagery/analytics provider BlackSky lowers 2025 revenue forecast by 12%, EBITDA by 70% ...

Jul 18,2025
BlackSky Technology (NYSE:BKSY) Shares Gap Down - Time to Sell? - MarketBeat

BlackSky Technology (NYSE:BKSY) Shares Gap Down - Here's What Happened. ... satellite and ground systems for government and commercial customers ...

Jul 18,2025
KoBold Inks Congo Exploration Deal to Grow US Mineral Access - Bloomberg

Maxar satellite image ...

Jul 18,2025
Rishabh Pant should not play Manchester Test as a specialist batter - The Indian Express

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows building and other damage at Rahim Yar Khan. Pakistan extends closure of sole runway at ...

Jul 18,2025
Comprehensive 2025 Commercial Satellite Imaging Market - openPR.com

Major companies operating in the commercial satellite imaging market include Airbus SE, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Maxar Technologies Inc ...

Jul 18,2025
Evercore ISI Sticks to Their Buy Rating for Coca-Cola (KO) - The Globe and Mail

In a report released yesterday, Robert Ottenstein from Evercore ISI maintained a Buy rating on Coca-Cola, with a price target of $80.00.

Jul 18,2025
SES seals $3.1bn Intelsat acquisition - DCD - Data Center Dynamics

EchoStar XXVI - Maxar Space Systems. 12 Jun 2025. Maxar selected to build new Echostar XXIV satellite. More in Investment / M&A / Financing. AA-Soben ...

Jul 18,2025
BlackSky Technology's Q2 2025 Revenue and Strategic Resilience - AInvest

The launch of its Gen-3 satellite constellation ... - Competition: Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies are expanding their AI and satellite capabilities.

Jul 18,2025
SAR
From Daily to Hourly: Inside BlackSky's Gen-3 Rollout With COO Nick Merski - Via Satellite

Finance IonQ Completes Capella Space Acquisition, With Plans to Build Space-Based QKD Network · Partner Content. From Daily to Hourly: Inside ...

Jul 18,2025
Inside SPEXA 2025: The Technologies and Innovators Shaping Tomorrow's Space Economy

... satellite technology, and next-generation aerospace solutions. Attendees ... Capella Space Corp. • Astroscale Holdings Inc. • TOYOTA MOTOR ...

Jul 18,2025
Kratos Reports 5G NTN Demonstration Over Intelsat GEO Satellite

... satellite in Geostationary Orbit ... Finance IonQ Completes Capella Space Acquisition, With Plans to Build Space-Based QKD Network.

Jul 18,2025
Storm surge, floods likely as cyclone Crising ferments off Cagayan | ABS-CBN News

Himawari-9/RAMBB satellite imagery ... Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro, Daguioman ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite Images Show Boost to North Korea's Rocket Production - Newsweek

Satellite operator ICEYE told Reuters that the pier "enables transport ... Sohae Satellite Launching Stations Pier Construction This satellite ...

Jul 18,2025
Capella Provides Update on Agreement with Tümad Madencilik - Yahoo Finance

... satellite copper-cobalt-zinc VMS targets around the past-producing Løkken copper mine through a partnership with Teako Minerals Corp. Capella also ...

Jul 18,2025
Stormy weather over Northern Luzon as 'Crising' passes near Santa Ana, Cagayan

SATELLITE IMAGE OF TROPICAL STORM CRISING (INTERNATIONAL NAME “WIPHA ... Paz, Licuan-Baay, Tineg, Malibcong, Peñarrubia, San Isidro ...

Jul 18,2025
Artificial Light Lengthens the Urban Growing Season - Eos.org

A satellite image of northwestern Europe at night shows several urban centers that appear as bright Researchers recently examined the effects of ...

Jul 18,2025
Driving Satellite-Based Earth Observation Market Growth - openPR.com

... space agency based in India, launched the third-generation Indian Earth Observation Satellite-6 (EOS-6) for ocean monitoring. For the first time ...

Jul 18,2025
Commercial SAR Satellite Market Poised for Growth Driven - openPR.com

Capella Space, ICEYE, Umbra Lab, e-Geos, Synspective, iQPS, Spacety, Piesat Information Technology, China SIWEI, Zhongke Satellite Technology View ...

Jul 18,2025
IDF designs parametric flood insurance product for Lagos State Government - Artemis.bm

... satellite company ICEYE, and African Risk Capacity Ltd. (ARC Ltd.), supported by the UNDP team in Nigeria. Partners in Nigeria reportedly include ...

Jul 18,2025
Lagos Flood Insurance Solution Designed by IDF and UNDP - Fintech Finance

... satellite company ICEYE, and African Risk Capacity Ltd. (ARC Ltd.), supported by the UNDP team in Nigeria. It was co-funded by the IDF and the ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite imagery reveals changes at North Korea's rocket launch site

Satellite operator ICEYE, which analysed the imagery, said that the pier "enables transport of larger rocket components than previously possible via ...

Jul 18,2025
Satellite imageries of the construction of a pier, in Cholsan | U.S. & World | gazette.com

... Satellite Launching Station, in Cholsan, North Pyongan province, North Korea, February 9, 2025 and July 9, 2025. 2025 ICEYE/Handout via REUTERS. ICEYE.

Jul 18,2025
Eos Energy Enterprises Announces Date for Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and ...

... Satellite · Pinpoint Weather App · QC Homegrown · Traffic · Charlotte Airport ... Eos Energy Enterprises Announces Date for Second Quarter 2025 ...

Jul 18,2025
EOS Climbs 10.03% In Rally By Investing.com

EOS Climbs 10.03% In Rally. ... Constellation Technologies. 0.002, -50.00%. 1.96M. Thrive Tribe ...

Jul 18,2025
ATLAS Space Operations enhances Global Ground Station Network and ... - Cyprus Shipping News

Integration of Capella's satellite capabilities positions IonQ to pioneer the first global space-based quantum key distribution network IonQ, a…

Jul 18,2025
A satellite imagery of the construction of a pier, in Cholsan | U.S. & World | gazette.com

... Satellite Launching Station, in Cholsan, North Pyongan province, North Korea, June 4, 2025. ICEYE/Handout via REUTERS. ICEYE. Facebook · Twitter ...

Jul 18,2025
XJet Sells Metal 3D Printer to Mold Maker, Deepens Partnership with Youngstown Business ...

AMR Satellite · AMR Data Center · AMR Satellite · Stratasys · FacFox · AMR ... EOS Zone · The 3D Systems Zone · The HP Zone · Bioprinting Zone · The ...

Jul 18,2025
AM Research Reports $3.58B AM Market in Q1 2025, Upgrades Metal Forecast

AMR Satellite · AMR Data Center · AMR Satellite · Continuum Powders · HP · AMR ... EOS Zone · The 3D Systems Zone · The HP Zone · Bioprinting Zone · The ...

Jul 18,2025
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)