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
Documents reveal unauthorised sediment releases at Blackwater Coal Mine - ABC News

The report used satellite imagery and found one impacted site had a lower amount of tree cover, while another had less plant revegetation. It also ...

Sep 15,2025
UK invests in 6 satellite technology projects to tackle net zero - Innovation News Network

Howden and Rebalance Earth will use satellite intelligence to improve biodiversity and environmental risk assessments, strengthening climate-related ...

Sep 15,2025
Groundbreaking new sensor transforms how Europe tracks pollution, smoke and cloud from space

... satellite. The first images reveal fine atmospheric features with ... First image. Natural light Polarised light compare1. compare2. 3MI's very ...

Sep 15,2025
Ofek 19 launch: All you need to know about satellites | The Jerusalem Post

Its purposes are diverse: Intelligence gathering, communication, weather forecasting, navigation, and scientific research. An observation satellite ...

Sep 15,2025
Lakehead University researchers lead $1.67M global effort to help forests adapt to climate change

... satellite imagery': lead researcher. Image | Kenora 20 wildfire. Caption: Kenora 20 in northwestern Ontario is seen in this May 12 photo. As of Sept ...

Sep 15,2025
Ice shelf collapse reveals early warning signs of melt - Sciworthy

In 2017, the team saw a sudden increase in visible cracks in the ice and total fracture length using satellite imagery. By the end of stage 3, the ...

Sep 15,2025
Satellite Images Confirm Destruction of Russian RLK-1 Radar in Rostov - UNITED24 Media

Satellite imagery has confirmed the destruction of a Russian RLK-1 “Navigation-South” radar system in the Rostov region following a Ukrainian ...

Sep 15,2025
SES Partners with Cailabs to Test Next-Generation Laser Communication Technology

Satellite Orbital Data · standard_one. O3b mPOWER. O3b mPOWER Read more. O3b ... SES-Case-Study-Orange-banner-image. Orange. SES and Orange CAR ...

Sep 15,2025
Lakehead University researchers lead $1.67M global effort to help forests adapt to climate change

Research involves detecting 'forest fuel moisture using radar satellite imagery': lead researcher. Desmond Brown · CBC News · Posted: Sep 15, ...

Sep 15,2025
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Planet Labs's Q2 Earnings Call - TradingView

... intelligence contracts, rapid uptake of AI-enabled solutions ... satellite services engagements. CEO Will Marshall highlighted ...

Sep 15,2025
2025 Climate Trends in Syria - NDVI and Rainfall Patterns - Syrian Arab Republic

... Imaging Spectroradiometer) satellite imagery at ~222-meter spatial resolution. NDVI is a key remote sensing indicator used to monitor plant health ...

Sep 15,2025
Starving Children Eat Animal Feed in Besieged Sudanese City - The New York Times

A satellite image shows a convoy of vehicles in the desert. A satellite image taken on April 16 showing weapon-mounted vehicles on the eastern edge of ...

Sep 15,2025
Space projects unlock climate and transport innovations - GOV.UK

Projects from Howden and Rebalance Earth will use satellite intelligence to improve environmental and biodiversity risk assessments for financial ...

Sep 15,2025
Sentinel‐2 and UAV Hyperspectral Image Data Fusion Used in Natural Disasters Cause Soil ...

Meanwhile, the fusion of satellite imagery and UAV imagery has the potential to improve the accuracy of soil estimation models. In this study, we ...

Sep 15,2025
Commercial Satellite Constellations Market Outlook 2025-2034: Advancements in ... - Yahoo Finance

Commercial Satellite Constellations Market Outlook 2025-2034: Advancements in Propulsion, Predictive Maintenance, and Geospatial Insights Drive ...

Sep 15,2025
Commercial Satellite Constellations Market Outlook 2025-2034 - Yahoo Finance

Commercial Satellite Constellations Market Competitive Intelligence The proprietary company revenue and product analysis model unveils the ...

Sep 15,2025
The Great Wildebeest Migration Looks Majestic From Space — But AI Found Something Alarming

However, researchers have also cautioned that fewer animals captured in the satellite image doesn't always mean a sudden population decline. It ...

Sep 15,2025
Unicorn alert: Apex lands $200M to scale satellite bus production capacity — TFN

... satellite imagery. After selling Synapse to Palantir, lan led satellite analysis efforts, where he saw first-hand the problems caused by long lead ...

Sep 15,2025
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Planet Labs's Q2 Earnings Call | FinancialContent

... satellite services engagements. CEO Will Marshall highlighted ... Marshall described progress in AI model fine-tuning on satellite imagery, with early ...

Sep 15,2025
CSO Co., Ltd. — Redefining Earth Observation with Cutting-Edge Camera Systems for Small ...

“Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to democratize access to very high-resolution satellite imagery and empower organizations worldwide to make ...

Sep 15,2025
Satellite Launches
ESA - First view of aerosols from MetOp-SG's 3MI instrument - European Space Agency

These images are very important new observations that will enhance the capabilities of weather and climate satellite missions. See two further images ...

Sep 15,2025
Satellite Images Confirm Destruction of Russian RLK-1 Radar in Rostov - UNITED24 Media

Despite the move, the radar was then targeted, likely by a US-supplied HIMARS multiple launch rocket system. Russian Radars Vanish From Key Military ...

Sep 15,2025
North Korea has likely expanded military spy agency to improve intel: Seoul | NK News

... launch spy satellites. Jooheon Kim September 15, 2025. Share Icon SHARE ... imagery that such satellites capture. Meanwhile, Koo also stated on ...

Sep 15,2025
UC Davis Unveils Tiny Microscope for Real-Time Brain Imaging in Mice

The DeepInMiniscope enables non-invasive, high-resolution imaging of mouse brain activity, transforming neuroscience research and understanding ...

Sep 15,2025
Groundbreaking new sensor transforms how Europe tracks pollution, smoke and cloud from space

... satellite, began capturing images on 28 August 2025, just over two weeks after the launch of the satellite. The first images reveal fine ...

Sep 15,2025
Ofek 19 launch: All you need to know about satellites | The Jerusalem Post

Communication is done via radio waves and microwaves. Ground stations send commands, and the satellite returns information and images. In Israel, ...

Sep 15,2025
Unicorn alert: Apex lands $200M to scale satellite bus production capacity — TFN

Before Apex, lan founded Synapse, an Al platform company that analysed dual-use data, including downstream satellite imagery. ... launches. After ...

Sep 15,2025
UAE's Space42 and US firm Viasat join forces to tackle mobile coverage blackspots | The National

A Space42 satellite launches in January. The ...

Sep 15,2025
Eutelsat and Multimedios Televisión consolidate longstanding satellite partnership in Mexico

Eutelsat and Multimedios Televisión consolidate longstanding satellite partnership in Mexico. Photo credit: GETTY IMAGES. Eutelsat has announced the ...

Sep 15,2025
Space projects unlock climate and transport innovations - GOV.UK

... innovative projects will use satellite ... Furrer+Frey, in partnership with Airbus Defence & Space, will launch a tool that uses satellite imagery and ...

Sep 15,2025
5 Insightful Analyst Questions From Planet Labs's Q2 Earnings Call - StockStory

... satellite services engagements. CEO Will Marshall highlighted ... Marshall described progress in AI model fine-tuning on satellite imagery, with early ...

Sep 15,2025
ResponseMesh launches multi-carrier platform for public safety

ResponseMesh has announced the release of ResponseMesh NOW, a cellular and satellite connectivity service designed for public safety and emergency ...

Sep 15,2025
CSO Co., Ltd. — Redefining Earth Observation with Cutting-Edge Camera Systems for Small ...

“Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to democratize access to very high-resolution satellite imagery ... launch its first flight model by 2026 ...

Sep 15,2025
Space42 and Viasat to Launch Equatys Venture with Access to - GlobeNewswire

Equatys is expected to unite satellite and terrestrial networks leveraging a 3GPP Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) Release compliant platform accessible ...

Sep 15,2025
Cutting-edge research heralds new generation of tiny, high-performance satellites

She explains: “Building high quality imaging systems comes with a ... Launches Aboard Northrop Grumman CRS-23 · Space Exploration | Technology ...

Sep 15,2025
SpaceX launches PSN's Nusantara Lima satellite - Developing Telecoms

SpaceX has launched Pasifik Satelit Nusantara (PSN)'s long-delayed Nusantara Lima (N5) satellite into geostationary orbit to provide internet ...

Sep 15,2025
Silver Spring students launch satellite 8 years after project start | FOX 5 DC

FOX 5 DC's Julie Donaldson reports.

Sep 15,2025
China launches probes targeting US semiconductors ahead of Madrid trade talks - ABC4 Utah

China launches probes targeting US semiconductors ahead of Madrid trade talks ... Satellite imagery shows snow in Uinta Mountains, … Suspect in Charlie ...

Sep 15,2025
Merged SES Launches 'Space to Make a Difference' Brand Identity - The Fast Mode

... satellites, and strategic access to low earth orbit (LEO) satellites. It also has the largest fiber network among satellite operators, providing ...

Sep 15,2025
Northrop Grumman's 1st Cygnus XL spacecraft launches on cargo run to the space station

It previously launched a batch of Starlink satellites along with two ... imaging; and (d) CFD model depiction of temperature contours during ...

Sep 15,2025
EO-MSI
Starlink Satellite Captured in Surprise Photobomb of Chinese Military Air Base | Extremetech

Captured by Maxar Technologies' WorldView Legion satellites as it was imaging the Chinese Dingxin Airbase in the Gobi Desert on Aug. 21, an impression ...

Sep 15,2025
Evercore ISI Downgrades Federal Realty Investment Trust to In Line From Outperform ...

Evercore ISI Downgrades Federal Realty Investment Trust to In Line From ... Analyst recommendations: Boston Scientific, Constellation Brands, Alliant ...

Sep 15,2025
DSEI 2025: Tech Zone wrap-up - Naval Technology

The Tech Zone also covers the space domain, in which Maxar Technologies dominate satellite imagery, which is utilised for coveted military ...

Sep 15,2025
Satellite IoT Market | Global Market Analysis Report - 2035

... Maxar Technologies, Millennium Space Systems, Mitsubishi Electric ... By services type, satellite iot market is divided into Direct-to-satellite and ...

Sep 15,2025
Starlink down: Elon Musk's company reacts to outage, says, 'Our team is investigating' | Mint

Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, faced a global outage on September 15, 2025, as reported by Reuters.

Sep 15,2025
Capital City American Legion hosts event to remember lives lost in 9/11 - WBRZ

BATON ROUGE - Members of the Capital City American Legion gathered together to remember the lives lost in 9 ... Satellite and Radar · Hurricane ...

Sep 15,2025
Welcome to the Gen-3 era - Asian Military Review

Gen-3 is BlackSky's very high-resolution constellation that gives you the power to observe, react and adapt in near real time. Tactical ISR from ...

Sep 15,2025
X Report 14 Sep 2025 - KeepTrack

SpaceX launches Maxar's high-resolution imaging satellites, Ontario reconsiders its Starlink contract, and the countdown to NASA's Lunar Trailblazer ...

Sep 15,2025
Sons of Norway to host celebration for 200th anniversary of the Norwegian Mayflower

Project: Constellation will provide music. The duo features ... Bagley American Legion Auxiliary's blood drive donates 62 units. 1d ago.

Sep 15,2025
Mario restrengthens to a tropical storm off Mexico but poses no immediate threat to land

Report: Accused Denver school shooter expressed neo-Nazi views online · The Anti-Defamation League says Desmond Holly had been active on an online ...

Sep 15,2025
This new satellite will help keep ships safe at sea - NotebookCheck.net News

A new satellite — Sentinel-6B — will provide information that will ... The Legion Tower 7i Gen 10 pairs a liquid-cooled Intel Core Ultra 7 265K.

Sep 15,2025
Colorado shooting suspect posted about neo-Nazi views - Spectrum News

Satellite and Radar · Current Conditions ... Colorado school shooting suspect posted online about mass shootings and neo-Nazi views, report says.

Sep 15,2025
LeT rebuilding its Muridke headquarters in Pakistan using 'flood relief' as a front, say ...

... Maxar Technologies via Reuters. Globally banned terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) has been raising funds through both online and offline drives ...

Sep 15,2025
LeT rebuilding its Muridke headquarters in Pakistan using 'flood relief' as a front, say ...

... satellite image shows Markaz Taiba following airstrikes in Muridke, Pakistan, May 7, 2025. Photo: Maxar Technologies/Handout via Reuters. Globally ...

Sep 15,2025
Space Brief 14 Sep 2025 - KeepTrack

Maxar executive Susanne Hake warns that budget cuts pose a significant risk to the commercial remote sensing industry. The need for stable funding ...

Sep 15,2025
Iran Warns Sanctions Would Derail Ties With UN Atomic Watchdog - Bloomberg.com

Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant, Iran. Source: Satellite image Maxar.

Sep 15,2025
Samsung 65" Neo QLED 8K QN900F Vision AI Smart TV 2025 vs ... - Home Theater Review

Samsung Neo QLED 8K vs OLED 4K: Which Premium TV Technology Wins in 2025? Samsung's 2025 TV lineup presents an interesting choice between two ...

Sep 15,2025
Samsung 65" Neo QLED 8K QN900F Vision AI Smart TV 2025 vs ... - Home Theater Review

Shopping for a premium 65-inch TV can feel overwhelming, especially when you're looking at Samsung's top-tier offerings. The Samsung 65" Neo QLED ...

Sep 15,2025
SAR
The Interview: Paz Errázuriz - ArtReview

The Interview: Paz Errázuriz. Finn BlytheFeatures15 September 2025ArtReview. Paz ... Satellite, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Seychelles, Sierra Leone ...

Sep 15,2025
EchoStar CEO Sees Pivot After Spectrum Sale | Aviation Week Network

EOS Works Toward Anti-Satellite Laser Demo.

Sep 15,2025
K2 Space Nabs $15M from NewSpace Capital

NewSpace Capital announced a $15M investment in K2 Space to help the satellite manufacturer build multi-orbit-capable sats ... ICEYE, Cailabs, and ...

Sep 15,2025
Elon Musk Eyes SpaceX 5G Network with $17 Billion Spectrum Deal - The Hans India

This strategic acquisition is set to expand Starlink, SpaceX's satellite internet arm, into the mobile network arena. ... Canon EOS C50 and More Hit the ...

Sep 15,2025
Commercial Satellite Constellations Market Outlook 2025-2034 - Yahoo Finance

Spire Global Inc. Capella Space. Kepler Communications Inc. LeoLabs Inc. OneWeb Global Limited. LeoStella LLC. SatSure Ltd. Nuview. Lynk Global Inc ...

Sep 15,2025
Australia's Final Frontier: Inside the Rapid Rise of its Space & Satellite Industry

Electro Optic Systems (EOS), an Australian firm, is notable in satellite tracking and defense (developing laser tracking of space debris and remote ...

Sep 15,2025
ICEYE launches ISR Cell to advance tactical space-based intelligence - Evertiq

... satellite intelligence to tactical timescales, delivering critical intelligence in minutes. ICEYE, a Finland-based company that develops and ...

Sep 15,2025
IonQ's Strategic Acquisitions and Technological Leapfrog in Quantum Computing - AInvest

By leveraging Capella's satellite infrastructure, IonQ aims to deploy QKD systems in orbit, addressing the limitations of terrestrial fiber-optic ...

Sep 15,2025
Airbus, Leonardo and Thales reported moving towards European space firm

The three firms want to set up a satellite production entity to rival ... AI powered SAR imagery analysis tool launched by SATIM and ICEYE ...

Sep 15,2025
HSI
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)