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
Thousands of Chinese Fishing Boats Quietly Form Vast Sea Barriers - The New York Times

Note: Image was captured around 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 local time. Some ships may not be Chinese fishing vessels. Source: Satellite image by Planet Labs.

Jan 17,2026
How a uranium supply coveted by Russia ended up in limbo in Niger - Le Monde

The 34 trucks – each carrying two containers – formed a visible row in satellite imagery. Their cargo? Roughly 1,000 metric tons of "yellowcake ...

Jan 17,2026
Algeria boosts Earth observation capacity with launch of Alsat-3A satellite - Ecofin Agency

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

Jan 17,2026
Israel's Defense Minister Commends IDF Gaza Demolitions During Cease-fire - Haaretz

"The New York Times claimed this week that satellite imagery shows Israel is still destroying Gaza," Katz said in a post on X, referencing an ...

Jan 17,2026
ICE says a Cuban man died during a suicide attempt. A witness says a guard fatally choked him

FILE - This satellite image shows construction of large white tents for a new immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, an Army base outside El Paso.

Jan 17,2026
Satellites and AI revolutionize fire detection; spotting blazes before 911 calls - News9.com

When a fire ignites, the heat stands out in satellite imagery. Artificial Intelligence (AI) analyzes this data, flagging potential fires faster than ...

Jan 17,2026
SANSA leverages Earth Observation Satellite imagery to support flood response in Limpopo ...

SANSA leverages Earth Observation Satellite imagery to support flood response in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces ... Climate-related extreme rainfall ...

Jan 17,2026
UnrealCraft Infinite - Real World Elevation Data w/ Satellite Imagery - YouTube

... Satellite Imagery using open APIs. APIs used : - Elevation Data : https://api.open-elevation.com/api/v1/lookup - Satellite Imagery : https://gibs ...

Jan 17,2026
This NOAA Satellite and Information Service view of central California shows the extent ... - Facebook

The latest CIRA GeoColor GOES satellite imagery shows the li... Feb 20, 2025 · 44K views. See more. Related Pages. No photo description available ...

Jan 17,2026
How to download elevation map and satellite imagery in the highest resolution? #958

Hi guys, I don't need to create a terrain mesh, I just need to download the elevation map and satellite imagery of the same area, how should I do that ...

Jan 17,2026
ICE says Cuban immigrant died while attempting suicide. A witness says guards pinned and ...

FILE - This Aug. 7, 2025, satellite image shows construction of large white tents for a new immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army ...

Jan 17,2026
Iran 'Executes 52' As Trump Calls off Attack Amid Protests? US Deploys Supercarrier Near Tehran?

Satellite imagery and reports indicate partial evacuations at US bases in Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as Washington moves to deter threats after Iran ...

Jan 17,2026
How can we chart a safer path forward in the wake of the historic LA fires? - Newsroom | UCLA

Unlike satellite imagery, which is useful for regional patterns, the data allows researchers to examine damage at the scale of individual buildings — ...

Jan 17,2026
Why this famous iceberg turned blue and what it tells us about melting ice - UPI.com

NASA's Earth Observatory captured striking new satellite imagery showing iceberg A-23A which is now taking on an intense blue hue.

Jan 17,2026
ICE says a Cuban man died during a suicide attempt. A witness says a guard fatally choked him

7, 2025, satellite image shows construction of large white tents for a new immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, a U.S. Army base outside El Paso, ...

Jan 17,2026
Extinct antelopes were released into the Sahara Desert and, five years later, deep holes ...

Satellite imagery allowed scientists to identify visible changes in vegetation cover, something rarely observed in such recent restoration projects.

Jan 17,2026
Scott - GOES-18 satellite image of atmospheric river in mid-December | Facebook

Facebook. May be an image of map. 󱣽 · 󱙆 · Scott Sistek Meteorologist. 󱙄. 4 hours ago · 󰟠. Photos. GOES-18 satellite image of atmospheric river in mid- ...

Jan 17,2026
Indra Group writes off damaged SpainSat NG 2 - SpaceNews

The operator of a Spanish military communications satellite that suffered a “space particle” strike has written off the spacecraft.

Jan 17,2026
Learn how to interpret near-real-time satellite imagery so that you can choose smart routes ...

42 likes, 1 comments - lucmehl on January 16, 2026: "Learn how to interpret near-real-time satellite imagery so that you can choose smart routes ...

Jan 17,2026
Cailey Dryers' Story - Marine Affairs Program - Dalhousie University

This innovative system consolidates ice charts, satellite imagery, and the ship's radar onto a single screen, streamlining navigation, facilitating ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellite Launches
SpaceX set to launch NROL-105 mission Friday night from Vandenberg; sonic boom expected

... Mother of Elon Musk's child sues his AI ... satellites to low-Earth orbit as part of the agency's ongoing effort to ...

Jan 17,2026
Artemis 2 rocket rollout latest news: NASA begins rollout for giant moon rocket - Space

... Satellites · Astronomy · Solar System · The Sun · Asteroids · Mars · Comets ... Launch System rocket, mobile launch platform and Orion spacecraft to the ...

Jan 17,2026
Algeria boosts Earth observation capacity with launch of Alsat-3A satellite - Ecofin Agency

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

Jan 17,2026
Satellite images show how fire-besieged towns looked before and after deadly Victorian blazes

Satellite images of bushfire-ravaged towns have captured the ... Federer and Barty unite as Aussie Open launches new tradition. 2 hours ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX weekend rocket launch from Florida. Best places to watch

The rocket will carry 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Depending on weather, the nighttime launch may be visible as far south as ...

Jan 17,2026
India's Orbital 'Jetpacks': Aule Space's $2M Bet To Rescue Dying Satellites

That long-standing practice has created a growing problem in geostationary orbit, where replacement launches are expensive, and downtime can cost ...

Jan 17,2026
NRO, SpaceX launch reconnaissance satellites from Vandenberg - Spaceflight Now

Relive the experience with imagery from Monday night's blazing blastoff of a Falcon 9 rocket and its historic, dramatic landing at Cape Canaveral.

Jan 17,2026
50000 clandestine Starlink terminals are keeping Iranians in touch with the rest of the world - Vox

Satellite imagery is how we know what is happening in conflict zones like Ukraine and Sudan. If satellites are in jeopardy, so is the truth itself.

Jan 17,2026
Watch NASA roll huge Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad on Jan. 17 | Space

... launches the NROL-145 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Watch SpaceX launch new batch of US spy satellites tonight · a rocket stands upright ...

Jan 17,2026
Kenya Space Agency launches satellite-backed project to save Mountain Bongo

In partnership with Planet, a global provider of high-resolution satellite imagery, Project Centinela integrates Earth observation data with on-the- ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg, California Space Force Base | Jan 16

Starlink is "the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting ...

Jan 17,2026
Why this famous iceberg turned blue and what it tells us about melting ice - UPI.com

The depth and clarity enhance the blue coloration, making it especially vivid in satellite imagery. ... SpaceX launches Twilight rideshare with NASA, 3D ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX Rocket Wows While Delivering Spy Satellites into Orbit | Local News | Noozhawk

At the request of NRO, the launch livestream ended after the first-stage booster's landing and didn't include images of the second stage or payload.

Jan 17,2026
Unmanned: Britain Launches Proteus Autonomous Helicopter - Militarnyi

The images were pu... #Air Defense · #Ukraine · #USA · #War with Russia. January 11, 2026.

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX launches its 1st national security mission of 2026, sending US spy satellites to orbit

SpaceX launched its first national security mission of the year on Friday night (Jan. 16), sending a batch of spy satellites aloft from ...

Jan 17,2026
Year's first private rocket mission takes off - Ecns.cn

... satellites and global coverage after the latest launch. The network ... images to support land-use planning as well as disaster prevention and ...

Jan 17,2026
Year's first private rocket mission takes off - Chinadaily.com.cn

The Ceres 1 model performed its maiden flight in November 2020 at the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in the Inner Mongolia autonomous region, ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX set to launch NROL-105 mission tonight from Vandenberg; sonic boom expected

... satellites to low-Earth orbit as part of the agency's ongoing effort to construct a proliferated satellite constellation. Intelligence gathered by ...

Jan 17,2026
Watch SpaceX Crew-11 spacecraft blaze a fiery trail through the sky during medical ...

... Launches & Spacecraft · Private spaceflight · Human spaceflight · SpaceX · Blue ... Satellites · Astronomy · Solar System · The Sun · Asteroids · Mars ...

Jan 17,2026
NASA hopes to launch Artemis 2 astronauts to the moon next month, but it's going to be tight - Space

— NASA is about to roll its massive new Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad. ... Satellites help map Antarctica's subglacial surface like never ...

Jan 17,2026
SAR
Canon Central and North Africa appoints new B2B Business Unit Director

In his new role, Vashnavi will lead Canon's Integrated Printing Solutions Group across the region, with a mandate to strengthen business execution, ...

Jan 17,2026
NICK STROBEL: Jupiter bright in night sky | Entertainment | bakersfield.com

... constellation over (Cancer). Well, Jupiter is definitely in Gemini and ... Capella · Orion (constellation) · Auriga · Canis Major · Epsilon Canis ...

Jan 17,2026
Why the PSLV Setback Didn't Ground India's Space Startups | AIM

On the morning of January 12, ISRO's PSLV-C62 lifted off from Sriharikota carrying EOS-N1, a hyperspectral earth observation satellite, ...

Jan 17,2026
Watch SpaceX launch new batch of US spy satellites tonight | Space

... satellite to orbit on the 1st mission of 2026 (video) ... An Indian PSLV rocket launches the EOS-N1 military satellite and 15 other payloads on.

Jan 17,2026
Brahe: Modern Astrodynamics Library Enables Efficient Satellite Orbit Propagation And Modelling

... satellite motion, addressing a gap in accessible ... Capella Space and tested on their synthetic aperture radar (SAR) constellation.

Jan 17,2026
Disappearing Iceberg A23A - NASA Earthdata

Tomorrow.io Gen1 Satellite Constellation Payloads observing a tropical cyclone ... HDF-EOS. MODIS/Terra Calibrated Radiances 5-Min L1B Swath 1km ...

Jan 17,2026
Submeter Resolution Microsatellite SAR for Assessing Arctic Permafrost Coastal Erosion

In this study, the Umbra SAR constellation developed by an earth observation startup, Umbra Lab, is employed. Its first microsatellite was ...

Jan 17,2026
HSI
Globe, Starlink partner to bring direct-to-cell satellite service in PH - MSN

Gadget Sidekick. POCO M8 Pro 5G – a huge improvement for the M-series! 1. Side Sleepers Get Achy Shoulders, Few Know This "Side Sleeper" Trick.

Jan 17,2026
Aule Space raises $2 mn to develop satellite life extension jetpacks - Business Standard

Founded in 2024 by Jay Panchal, co-founder and chief executive officer and an early engineer at Pixxel; Nithyaa Giri, co-founder and chief ...

Jan 17,2026
Spacetech Start-Up Aule Space Raises $2M Pre-Seed to Launch Autonomous Satellite Jetpacks

The founders have prior experience at firms including Pixxel, Trify EV and LibreCube. Manish Singhal, founding partner at pi Ventures, said Aule ...

Jan 17,2026
Bengaluru-based startup raises $2 million to develop satellite docking tech - India Today

Founded in 2024 by a team of engineers with experience at Pixxel and the European Space Agency (Esa), Aule Space is the first Indian firm tackling ...

Jan 17,2026
Spy satellites next frontier for India's spacetech startups | Hindustan Times Delhi - Magzter

Google-backed satellite imaging startup Pixxel and its crosstown peer Digantara target at least half of their business by launching satellites for ...

Jan 17,2026
Spy satellites next frontier for India's spacetech startups - PressReader

These ventures are pivoting towards a new lucrative business: defence surveillance. Google-backed satellite imaging startup Pixxel and its crosstown ...

Jan 17,2026
Indian startup Aule Space enters satellite servicing market - SpaceNews

Panchal, one of three co-founders, previously worked for another Indian space startup, hyperspectral imaging company Pixxel. Those startups ...

Jan 17,2026
Surveillance satellites next frontier for India's spacetech startups - PressReader

... satellite imaging startup Pixxel, which is backed by Google. Its revenue stood at $4.65 million in fiscal year 2025 (FY25), according to its ...

Jan 17,2026
Bengaluru's Aule Space lands $2 million to build satellite jetpacks - NewsBytes

Who's behind it—and why does it matter? Founded in 2024 by Jay Panchal, Nithyaa Giri, and Hrishit Tambi (with experience at Pixxel and the European ...

Jan 17,2026
India's space startups are changing defense surveillance - NewsBytes

Digantara and Pixxel: The new faces of space tech. Digantara launched its SCOT satellite in 2025, helping track objects in space, and has already ...

Jan 17,2026
Military surveillance–the new lucrative front for India's space startups - Mint

Google-backed satellite imaging startup Pixxel and its cross-town peer Digantara target at least half of their business by launching satellites ...

Jan 17,2026
RF
VSAT Maritime Satellite Communication Market Size Reach USD 2.96 Billion by 2030

... ORBCOMM, and GTMARITIME. These players have adopted various strategies to increase their market penetration and strengthen their position in the ...

Jan 17,2026
Spire Global: Undervalued, Seems Geared For 2026 Growth Strategy (NYSE:SPIR)

Management also wants to accelerate satellite manufacturing, increase on-orbit data production, and land bigger contracts with longer-term recurring ...

Jan 17,2026
Spire adds hyperspectral sounder and Myriota payloads on SpaceX Twilight launch

The mission carried Spires Hyperspectral Microwave Sounder, or HyMS, a compact satellite based demonstrator designed to advance global weather ...

Jan 17,2026
Connor Mosack Rejoins Spire Motorsports for 12 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series ...

In addition to his active duties at CATCHFENCE.com and other Motorsports-related endeavors, he is also a frequent contributor to SiriusXM Satellite ...

Jan 17,2026
Segmentation, Major Trends, and Competitive Overview of the CubeSat Downlink Service Market

... Spire Global Inc., Kongsberg Satellite ... satellite functionality, and mission success for CubeSat and small satellite operators worldwide.

Jan 17,2026
Analysis of Key Market Segments Influencing the Use of Nanotechnology in the Satellite Market

... Satellite Technology Ltd., Spire Global Inc., ICEYE, GomSpace Group AB, NanoAvionics Corp., Tyvak International, AAC Clyde Space Ltd., Kepler ...

Jan 17,2026
Morocco renews satellite communication licenses for major telecom companies

The approved texts also include Draft Decree No. 2.25.907, renewing the license granted to Orbcomm Maghreb for the establishment and operation of ...

Jan 17,2026
Kyivstar Reaches 3 Million Customers with Starlink Direct to Cell and Strengthens Ukraine's ...

... satellite technology is delivering critical connectivity to Ukraine. ... SKYWAVE™, an ORBCOMM® company, launches new hybrid satellite-cellular ...

Jan 17,2026
SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM® company, launches new hybrid satellite-cellular module to ...

SKYWAVE, an ORBCOMM® company, launches new hybrid satellite-cellular module to enable remote mission-critical IoT applications. 15 de janeiro de ...

Jan 17,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)