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
It was mild bloom year on Lake Erie, but upstream challenges persist - mlive.com

Satellite imagery showed a bloom that formed slowly in July, peaked in late August and collapsed in September. Forecasters had predicted a 2025 ...

Dec 8,2025
Sunshine should reappear across the skies of the Augusta area this week

By then, more sunshine should descend on the Augusta area, according to the forecast. A satellite image of the Southeast on Monday, Dec 8, 2025.

Dec 8,2025
Atmospheric river brings heavy rain, flooding concerns to SW Washington and NW Oregon

PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — The highly advertised atmospheric river arrives today across the region. Satellite imagery shows the long plum of moisture ...

Dec 8,2025
Geo Week 2026 To Explore the Intersection of Uncrewed and Geospatial Technology

Imaging Resolution in Ground Sample Distance: Fact or Fiction: A panel of experts from the satellite, airborne, and UAS sectors will discuss the ...

Dec 8,2025
The images of the Universe put at risk by proposed NASA cuts - The Planetary Society

Image: NASA, ESA ... It would eventually achieve a resolution of around 1 meter or less, similar to high-resolution satellite imagery of Earth.

Dec 8,2025
US satellite firm 3D-maps one of China's most strategic naval bases

Vantor's impressive satellite imaging capabilities. Advanced satellite imagery makes key military intel accessible from space. Though satellites ...

Dec 8,2025
Scientists just released a map of all 2.75 billion buildings on Earth, in 3D - ZME Science

Compiled from satellite imagery dating back to 2019, the atlas charts exactly where people live and how their buildings rise and spread across the ...

Dec 8,2025
This enhanced-color imagery from NOAA's GOES West (GOES-18) satellite is highlighting ...

This enhanced-color imagery from NOAA's GOES West (GOES-18) satellite is highlighting the Pacific Northwest this morning, where a powerful ...

Dec 8,2025
Global dataset of sand dam features and geographical distribution across drylands - Nature

... satellite image was not sufficient (e.g. cloud coverage or very low resolution). b. No image available on Google Earth – the sand dam was built ...

Dec 8,2025
Mapping coastal transformations with a novel Cellular Automata–Markov–Random forest ...

Shoreline change rate dynamics analysis and prediction of future positions using satellite imagery for the Southern Coast of kuwait: A case study.

Dec 8,2025
China boosts surveillance over Spratly Islands, says US think tank - Naval News

... intelligence capabilities in the South China Sea, according to an American think tank. Satellite imagery analyzed by the Asia Maritime ...

Dec 8,2025
Almost Half of Hubble Telescope Images Could be Ruined by Satellite Constellations

The explosive growth in satellite numbers in low Earth orbit is proving problematic for space telescopes ... Simulated telescope image with ...

Dec 8,2025
Who is Edwin Castro? About $2.04 billion Powerball winner in California

The CAL FIRE site provides containment updates, incident maps, maps searchable by address, and satellite imagery. At the time, the CAL FIRE, the ...

Dec 8,2025
World buildings mapped in 3D for the first time - Kazinform

Led by Prof. Xiaoxiang Zhu, the project mapped 2.75 billion structures using satellite imagery from 2019. The dataset surpasses earlier global ...

Dec 8,2025
Satellite Startup ICEYE Raises Funds at $2.8 Billion Valuation as Europe Boosts Defense

ICEYE, a Finnish satellite developer with a number of defense contracts, has raised money at a €2.4 billion ($2.8 billion) valuation, ...

Dec 8,2025
How to Get Satellite Imagery for Free: Complete 2026 Guide - OnGeo Intelligence

Use code ongeo100 on 10 meters satellite image resolutions – limited time only! Higher resolution satellite images remain subject to payment. GO ...

Dec 8,2025
ICEYE and General Catalyst to Transform European Space-based Intelligence - SatNow

ICEYE, the world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems, has secured new financing, led by General Catalyst with broad ...

Dec 8,2025
Daily Report | Air & Space Forces Magazine

Close Image. Daily Report. Dec. 8, 2025. Subscribe to the ... SDA Back on Track to Award Satellite Contracts After Funds Went to Troop Shutdown Pay.

Dec 8,2025
Six Derbyshire mountain rescue teams search for walkers - BBC News

KMRT said the two walkers used an iPhone satellite alert, which is a ... A treated image showing young children holding flags, an image of Jeremy Bowen ...

Dec 8,2025
Introduction to the Symposium on Forensic and Counter-Forensic Approaches to International Law

... satellite imagery, open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital modeling or counter-mapping – are reshaping evidentiary practices and redefining ...

Dec 8,2025
Satellite Launches
Not so fast, Netflix. Paramount launches hostile bid for Warner Bros. Discovery - VPM News

Paramount has launched ... Astronomers have long been concerned about reflections from satellites showing up in images taken by telescopes and other ...

Dec 8,2025
EXCLUSIVE: Danish Presidency cuts EU space law 'red tape' around cyber rules | Euractiv

The launch of SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with 22 Starlink satellites is viewed from Huntington Beach at dusk after taking off from Vandenberg Space ...

Dec 8,2025
SpaceX Falcon 9 to launch 29 satellites from NASA's Kennedy Space Center: Watch live

SpaceX is set to launch nearly 30 Starlink Satellites into low-Earth orbit from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on Monday afternoon.

Dec 8,2025
The images of the Universe put at risk by proposed NASA cuts - The Planetary Society

... launch date and future operations. ... It would eventually achieve a resolution of around 1 meter or less, similar to high-resolution satellite imagery ...

Dec 8,2025
SpaceX plans Falcon 9 rocket launches in California. Here's the schedule

Both missions are scheduled to deploy Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Ready for liftoff? SpaceX could potentially launch two ...

Dec 8,2025
Unity between Europe, Ukraine and US 'important', Zelenskyy says, as leaders meet at ... - Sky News

Images coming through this morning from the Ukrainian emergency services show the aftermath of the attack. Balconies are on fire at the block of ...

Dec 8,2025
Almost Half of Hubble Telescope Images Could be Ruined by Satellite Constellations

... images due to satellite-related light pollution. ... But telescopes in LEO, like the planned Chinese Space Station Telescope, Xuntian, set to launch ...

Dec 8,2025
Space is the hottest business on Earth. It's not just Starlink - Quartz

Launch prices have plummeted from tens of thousands per kilogram ... The immediate beneficiaries are satellite operators who use imaging to ...

Dec 8,2025
vivo S50 and S50 Pro mini launch date revealed - GSMArena.com news

The vivo S50 and S50 Pro mini will debut in China on December 15. vivo has released new images and teaser videos on Weibo to showcase the phones. vivo ...

Dec 8,2025
Satellite pollution is spoiling 95% space telescope images: NASA - Lapaas Voice

Because satellite launches are accelerating globally, the problem grows daily. Once constellations are in place, reversing the damage may prove ...

Dec 8,2025
Sun unleashes intense X-class solar flare, triggering radio blackouts across Australia

However, early analyses of satellite coronagraph imagery suggest this CME is not Earth-directed. ... launches Starlink satellites from Vandenberg in ...

Dec 8,2025
Excited Onlooker Captures Moment of Starlink Satellite Launch - News.com.au

SpaceX's Falcon 9 successfully launched 28 Starlink satellites into low-Earth orbit from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Sunday, ...

Dec 8,2025
Satellite Startup ICEYE Raises Funds at $2.8 Billion Valuation as Europe Boosts Defense

It builds synthetic aperture radar satellites, which are designed to provide high-resolution images and identify objects through smoke, clouds and ...

Dec 8,2025
Why most space telescope images could be blurry by 2030 - NewsBytes

Satellite launches have surged in recent years. The problem of satellite trails has been exacerbated by the fact that more satellites have been ...

Dec 8,2025
A violent star explosion just revealed a hidden recipe for life | ScienceDaily

They used XRISM -- short for X-Ray Imaging and Spectroscopy Mission, an X-ray satellite launched ... launch. Making such a discovery with a ...

Dec 8,2025
Starlink price revealed ahead of India launch, here is how much satellite internet from Elon ...

Starlink's India price has finally been confirmed by the company as the launch is imminent. The price listing is now live on the official Starlink ...

Dec 8,2025
STAR.VISION Launches Mangrove007 to Accelerate AI-Driven Mangrove Protection in Africa

Mangrove007 integrates satellite remote sensing, climate datasets, and AI-driven analytics to provide an unprecedented view of mangrove ecosystems ...

Dec 8,2025
South Korea's all 12 cube satellites establish ground communication - Anadolu Ajansı

... satellites. This is the first time that all satellites deployed by Nuri in a single launch have established communication with the ground. In ...

Dec 8,2025
Cobham Satcom merges with Gatehouse to advance 5G satellite connectivity

EgSA passes design review for China's Chang'e-8 imaging system. 4 ... Saudi Space Agency announces launch of two student-built satellites · Al ...

Dec 8,2025
Google's proposed data center in orbit will face issues with space debris - WMNF 88.5 FM

... Images Mojtaba Akhavan-Tafti, University of Michigan ... Google is partnering with a space company to launch two prototype satellites by early 2027 to ...

Dec 8,2025
EO-MSI
CAIR Condemns Neo-Nazi Rally in Arkansas

Chapters & Satellite Offices. Find a CAIR office near you ... neo-Nazi groups openly spewing their hateful message in Arkansas or anywhere else.

Dec 8,2025
AST SpaceMobile Aims to Launch FM2, Its Second Prototype Satellite, in January | PCMag

“As part of its proactive efforts to secure sufficient launches for its satellite constellation ... Legion Go Review · NordVPN Review · Nvidia GeForce ...

Dec 8,2025
Porsches across Russia stop working due to mystery satellite issue - Yahoo Finance

Apple target raised: Evercore ISI says Intelligence to be a ...

Dec 8,2025
US satellite firm 3D-maps one of China's most strategic naval bases

Vantor, formerly known as Maxar Technologies, mapped China's Yulin Naval Base using a new AI-enabled 3D imaging technology.

Dec 8,2025
First Andes Silver Provides Exploration Program Update, Santas Gloria Project, Peru

WorldView 3 ("WV-3") satellite successfully captured image and spectral data over Santas Gloria: 100% clean, unobstructed capture, translating to ...

Dec 8,2025
First Andes Silver Provides Exploration Program Update, Santas Gloria Project, Peru

Phase 1 soil sampling ("Phase 1") has been completed ahead of schedule, and under budget: · WorldView 3 ("WV-3") satellite successfully captured image ...

Dec 8,2025
NeoGenomics highlights myeloid CGP study revealing rare fusions | NEO Stock News

--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- NeoGenomics, Inc. (NASDAQ: NEO), a leading provider of oncology diagnostic solutions that enable precision medicine, ...

Dec 8,2025
TSX Value Picks Including Constellation Software That Investors May Be Undervaluing

Top 10 Undervalued Stocks Based On Cash Flows In Canada ; Topicus.com (TSXV:TOI). CA$125.98. CA$223.31 ; Savaria (TSX:SIS). CA$21.67. CA$35.27 ; Neo ...

Dec 8,2025
Ukraine's Contra Drone develops C-UAS ground robotic system NEO - Unmanned airspace

Pravda reports that Oboronka, a defence industry project created by Mezha.Media, has learned the ground robotic system called NEO is equipped with ...

Dec 8,2025
TotalEnergies merges UK upstream with NEO NEXT+, leading producer | TTE Stock News

... Satellite · Top ... UK: TotalEnergies Merges Its Upstream Business with NEO NEXT, Creating the Largest Independent Oil and Gas Producer in the UK.

Dec 8,2025
SpaceX Launches New Batch of Starlink Satellites From California | Stunning Vandenberg Liftoff

... satellite constellation! #SpaceX #Starlink #Falcon9 #Vandenberg #SpaceLaunch #ElonMusk #SatelliteInternet #Astronomy ... neo•1.1M views.

Dec 8,2025
PCG reports China firing flares at BFAR plane | INQUIRER.net

... SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES. MANILA, Philippines — Chinese forces fired three flares from an island toward a Philippine plane ...

Dec 8,2025
What was the loudest sound ever recorded? - Live Science

Maxar overview satellite imagery shows the Hunga Tonga-Hunga Ha'apai volcano. The eruption of the underwater volcano Hunga Tonga–Hunga Ha'apai ...

Dec 8,2025
Candlelight: Neo-Soul Favorites ft. Songs by Prince, Childish Gambino, & More

Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Honolulu.

Dec 8,2025
SAR
Iceye Raises Financing - FinSMEs

Iceye, a Helsinki, Finland-based company which speializes in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems, raised an undisclosed amount in ...

Dec 8,2025
Structure's Obesity Pill Delivers Weight-Loss 'Homerun' in Study - Bloomberg.com

ICEYE SAR Satellite over the US. Satellite Startup Iceye Raises at $2.8 Billion Valuation As Europe Boosts Defense Spending. Top Reads. Games Wall ...

Dec 8,2025
Tender: NASRDA Seeks Partners for Advanced Satellite Development and Testing Facility

... satellite, a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite, and ... An electronic copy of the submission should be sent to: eos.project@nasrda.gov.ng ...

Dec 8,2025
What is Anvesha? All about India's new hyperspectral eye to be launched by PSLV-C62

Anvesha, also called EOS-N1, is a satellite built by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

Dec 8,2025
ICEYE secures new funding to boost capabilities valued by re/insurance market

ICEYE, a world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems, has secured €150 million in new funding and a €50 million secondary ...

Dec 8,2025
Italy Acquires Additional Logistic Support Vehicles from IDV - DEFCROS News

Portugal Procures Iceye SAR Satellite as Company Launches Five Additional Satellites. 08/12/2025. Türkiye's 8×8 T-155 Panter Self-Propelled Howitzer ...

Dec 8,2025
3 things to know about Iceye's €150M raise at €2.4B valuation — TFN - Tech Funding News

Finnish satellite developer Iceye has raised €150 million in a new equity round led by General Catalyst and an additional €50 million secondary ...

Dec 8,2025
Poland's PIAST satellite captures first image - TVP World

... satellite constellation. ... Unlike Poland's MikroSAR satellite project, which is a joint venture with Finnish tech firm ICEYE, the PIAST project is ...

Dec 8,2025
Navy's Frigate Program Revived—In a Limited Capacity - DEFCROS News

... Constellation-class vessels. Challenges in Shipbuilding ... Portugal Procures Iceye SAR Satellite as Company Launches Five Additional Satellites.

Dec 8,2025
ICEYE, Portuguese Air Force announce direct satellite procurement - Evertiq

ICEYE will deliver a state-of-the-art SAR satellite to the Portuguese Air Force. ICEYE's SAR technology provides unique advantages, including ...

Dec 8,2025
Dr Schwer: "No one kills drones like EOS" - Electro Optic Systems

... satellite. This is preferably done from the ground – either stationary or mobile – but can also be done from space in the future, if desired. EOS ...

Dec 8,2025
7NEWS Exclusive: Australia's billion-dollar drone defence system demonstrated

... EOS' Slinger counter-drone remote weapon system part of the demonstration ... Satellite Laser Ranging · Space Sustainability · Precision Optics · WORK ...

Dec 8,2025
Brazil Hosts First Maritime Unmanned Systems Exercise - DEFCROS News

Portugal Procures Iceye SAR Satellite as Company Launches Five Additional Satellites · DEFCROS News - 08/12/2025 0. Acquisition of Synthetic Aperture ...

Dec 8,2025
Portugal Procures Iceye SAR Satellite as Company Launches Five Additional Satellites

Portugal's Air Force signed with Iceye for its first owned SAR satellite, enhancing maritime security and monitoring capabilities.

Dec 8,2025
ICEYE Strengthens Sovereign SAR Satellite Capability with New €150M Funding

ICEYE, the world leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite systems announced new financing, led by General Catalyst with broad ...

Dec 8,2025
Iceye secures EUR 200 million as high-profile investors pile in - XYZ

The funding positions Iceye to expand its satellite constellation and solidify its place among the continent's space-tech frontrunners. A major ...

Dec 8,2025
Isro in 2025: From Shubhanshu Shukla's Axiom-4 to 100th satellite launch | India News

Key Satellite Missions of 2025 · NVS-02: India's 100th launch from Sriharikota · EOS-09: A rare setback ends PSLV's long success streak · NISAR: The ...

Dec 8,2025
General Catalyst

Their "eyes on ice" project became ICEYE, which now operates the world's largest radar satellite constellation that sees through clouds and darkness ...

Dec 8,2025
HSI
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)