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
Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus, researchers find

... satellite imagery. The researchers' assessment broadly aligns with U.S. intelligence findings, said a person familiar with the matter who spoke on ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite Greece Image, Hellenic National Meteorological Service

Satellite Greece Image, Hellenic National Meteorological Service. Γενική Î Ï ÏŒÎ³Î½Ï‰ÏƒÎ· ÎšÎ±Î¹Ï Î¿Ï Î•Î»Î»Î¬Î´Î±Ï‚, Î'ττικής, ...

Dec 26,2025
The best environmental journalism of 2025 - Greenpeace Unearthed

Now for the first time, a similar exercise has been conducted in Europe, using an AI model to scrutinise satellite imagery, and on-the-ground ...

Dec 26,2025
Iran seizes an oil tanker in the Strait of Hormuz - Los Angeles Times

Satellite view of a sweeping dust storm over the Strait of Hormuz, extending across the Gulf of Oman. (Gallo Images via Getty Images). Associated ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite imagery shows the aftermath of a possible SAF airstrike reportedly targeting Nyala ...

Rich Tedd ✈️ (@AfriMEOSINT). 51 likes. Satellite imagery shows the aftermath of a possible SAF airstrike reportedly targeting Nyala Airport in ...

Dec 26,2025
Possible Oreshnik Deployment in Belarus - Arms Control Wonk

... satellite imagery captured by Planet Labs. The location is the former Krichev-6 aerodrome, five kilometers from the Belarus-Russian border. The ...

Dec 26,2025
Russia Likely Placing New Hypersonic Missiles at Former Airbase in Belarus, Researchers Find

A satellite image from Planet Labs taken November 16, 2025 shows where ... commercial ‌satellite firm, that showed features consistent with a Russian ...

Dec 26,2025
Client Alert: The US Office of Space Commerce Seeks Industry Feedback on a Potential ... - JD Supra

... satellite servicing, In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing ... "My best business intelligence, in one easy email…" Your first step ...

Dec 26,2025
Tehran faces intensifying water crisis as reservoirs decline - Smart Water Magazine

Satellite imagery and hydrological data show that key reservoirs supplying the capital have fallen far below their typical seasonal levels amid a ...

Dec 26,2025
The year in rainforests 2025: Deforestation fell; the risks did not - Mongabay

Satellite image showing the destruction of the Sararé Indigenous Territory in Mato Grosso state, Brazil, left behind by illegal gold mining. Image via ...

Dec 26,2025
Tropical Cyclone 09S (Grant) - Pacific Disaster Center

Animated enhanced infrared (eir) satellite imagery depicts tropical cyclone 09S (grant) with a low-level circulation center (llcc) and deep ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite imagery and smart technology help detect violations faster - Facebook

Satellite imagery and smart technology help detect violations faster. Abu Dhabi launches AI-powered project to detect illegal waste dumping.

Dec 26,2025
Exclusive: Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus ... - Reuters

... imagery from Planet Labs, a commercial satellite firm, that showed features consistent with a Russian strategic missile base. Lewis and Eveleth ...

Dec 26,2025
Marco Rubio congratulates Honduran President-elect Nasry Asfura - Al Jazeera

A satellite image shows the very large crude carrier (VLCC) Skipper, which British. From: NewsFeed · Rubio says US to decide within days if Ukraine ...

Dec 26,2025
Iran seizes oil tanker carrying smuggled fuel on Strait of Hormuz, state news agency says

Satellite Imagery Of The Strait Of Hormuz Satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for the global energy supply, connecting ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite captures unprecedented detail of a massive Pacific tsunami - Earth.com

A rare SWOT satellite pass captured a Pacific-wide tsunami in high resolution, revealing complex wave patterns that challenge current tsunami ...

Dec 26,2025
1 injured after crash on Carolina Forest Blvd. - WPDE

... 9 a.m. Saturday, July 5, 2025: Here's the latest satellite imagery of Tropical Storm Chantal as it moves slowly ...

Dec 26,2025
Why Planet Labs (PL) Stock Is Down Today - StockStory

Shares of earth imaging satellite company Planet Labs (NYSE:PL) fell 4.3% in the afternoon session after an analyst at Zacks Research downgraded ...

Dec 26,2025
The European Space Agency [@europeanspaceagency] has unveiled a new satellite ... - Threads

] has unveiled a new satellite-imaging program aimed at boosting Europe's security and defense capabilities, amid concerns over growing geopolitical ...

Dec 26,2025
Türkiye's Turksat Targets Global Satellite Expansion in 2026 - Caspianpost.com

Türkiye's sole satellite operator, Turksat, is targeting a global presence in satellite ... intelligence (AI),” he added. “The construction will ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite Launches
Satellite images reveal how China created artificial islands after 12 years of dumping sand ...

Xiaomi launches a smart air conditioner that cools an entire house in 5 minutes, operates from 65°C to -35°C, saves energy at night, and even ...

Dec 26,2025
Report: US believes Russia is deploying hypersonic missiles with nuclear capabilities

Two researchers told Reuters news agency, based on satellite imagery. The researchers noted this development would make it easier for Moscow to ...

Dec 26,2025
Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus, researchers find

... satellite imagery. The researchers' assessment broadly aligns with U.S. ... launch point. Pavel Podvig, a Geneva-based expert on Russia's ...

Dec 26,2025
Falcon 9 launch of Italy's COSMO-SkyMed mission scheduled for Saturday evening - KEYT

... satellites to the first-generation satellites already in orbit. ... According to NASA, the X-Band is used by SAR systems seeking high-resolution imaging ...

Dec 26,2025
Starlink Rival Launches Its Largest Satellite Yet for Space-Based Cellular Network

Texas startup AST SpaceMobile launched BlueBird 6, the first of its next-generation satellites, this week—and boy was it a big one.

Dec 26,2025
Exclusive: Russia likely placing new hypersonic missiles at former airbase in Belarus ...

... could bolster Russia's ability to deliver missiles across Europe, two U.S. researchers have found by studying satellite imagery.

Dec 26,2025
Taiwan, US Not Ready? China's 'Civilian' Ships Could Attack Before Enemies Even Realise It's War

Satellite images suggest China may be testing a container ship fitted with hidden missile launch cells, advanced radars and close‑in weapon ...

Dec 26,2025
Possible Oreshnik Deployment in Belarus - Arms Control Wonk

... satellite imagery captured by Planet Labs. The location is the former ... Russia launched an Oreshnik IRBM, with 36 inert flechettes, in ...

Dec 26,2025
FM Araghchi: Iran's Satellite Program Strictly Civilian

... imagery at five-meter resolution and color imagery at ten meters. ... Since its first satellite launch in 2009, Iran has continued to expand ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite captures unprecedented detail of a massive Pacific tsunami - Earth.com

NASA and the French space agency CNES launched SWOT in December 2022 to survey surface water around the world. ... Images · Earthpedia · Take action.

Dec 26,2025
Europe turns to space to boost security with new ESA program [VIDEO] - TVP World

The European Space Agency (ESA) has unveiled a new satellite-imaging program aimed at boosting Europe's security and defense capabilities, ...

Dec 26,2025
PowerBank Shares Updates on Successful Rocket Launch in Orbital Cloud Initiative with Smartlink AI

... imaging and weather satellites operate. It matters to investors because ... launch of the DeStarlink Genesis-1 satellite, announced by PowerBank here.

Dec 26,2025
CubeSat Market Size, Share & Growth Report 2033

... launch expenses compared to traditional satellites. Their compact size ... imaging without the expense of traditional satellites. Industries ...

Dec 26,2025
Arizonans may miss last SpaceX rocket launch of year from California - Yahoo

Ex-Goodwill employee sparks outrage after sharing images from inside ... launch services for classified satellites and other payloads. Eric ...

Dec 26,2025
China Launches New Batch of Low-Orbit Internet Satellites Into Space - Corporation

China Launches New Batch of Low-Orbit Internet Satellites Into Space - Corporation ... Artist's impression of the Khayyam earth imaging satellite. - ...

Dec 26,2025
Araghchi says Iran satellite program 'entirely peaceful' ahead of triple launch - Press TV

Tolou-3 is Iran's heaviest Earth-observation satellite to date, weighing about 150 kilograms. It provides imagery with a resolution of roughly ...

Dec 26,2025
China eases IPO rules for firms developing reusable rockets - Reuters

... launched and used to put satellites into orbit. Advertisement · Scroll to continue. Earlier this month, China's leading private rocket firm ...

Dec 26,2025
Russia, Kazakhstan adjusting new date for 1st Soyuz-5 rocket launch - Anadolu Ajansı

China launches satellite for ... Anadolu Images · Energy Terminal · AA Academy · Green Line.

Dec 26,2025
Is China quietly preparing cargo ships to transform into military vessels in case of war?

The circulated images show vertical launch systems, rotary phased-array ... satellite images showed that the ship itself, at least, was ...

Dec 26,2025
NASA Marks 50 Years Of GOES Satellites - Orbital Today

Important images from the first series of GOES satellites include Hurricane David in 1979. ... To Launch 15 Satellites… Published by James Hydzik.

Dec 26,2025
SAR
Eos Energy names former Constellation CEO as new board chair - Pittsburgh Business Times

Joseph Nigro, former Exelon CFO and Constellation CEO, will become board chair of Eos Energy Enterprises on January 1, 2026.

Dec 26,2025
Illegal Routes Turn Colombian Amazon Into Fertile Ground for Crime Networks

In regions near La Libertad and La Paz in Guaviare, roads that were nearly invisible in satellite images two decades ago now run for dozens of ...

Dec 26,2025
What Went Wrong—and Right—in India's Space Sector in 2025 - Orbital Today

... satellite NVS-02 and the Earth observation satellite EOS-09. The NVS-02 satellite was intended to replace the ageing IRNSS-1E in India's regional ...

Dec 26,2025
2025: A bag of mixed fortunes for Indian space sector

... satellite launch missions of strategic importance-navigation satellite NVS-02 and earth observation satellite EOS-09. The satellites were meant to ...

Dec 26,2025
ISRO 2026 Missions: Everything You Need to Know About Gaganyaan, Oceansat-3A and ...

Another flagship mission slated for early 2026 is the Oceansat-3A (EOS-10) satellite launch aboard a PSLV vehicle manufactured by Indian industry ...

Dec 26,2025
Alen Space begins SATMAR satellite validation over Bay of Algeciras

... satellite over the Bay of Algeciras in southern Spain. Over the past ... Exactly 15 years ago, in December 2010, the German TanDEM-X mission ...

Dec 26,2025
OPERA satellite data sharpens US crop and water management - Space Daily

... satellite products that mat. ... Exactly 15 years ago, in December 2010, the German TanDEM-X mission ...

Dec 26,2025
Satellite Radar Advances Could Transform Global Snow Monitoring - Eos | Hans-Peter Marshall

New article in EOS led by Randall Bonnell, describing our progress in L-band InSAR from the SnowEx campaign and the potential of new snow ...

Dec 26,2025
Severn Trent and ICEYE Launch Satellite-Based Flood and Wastewater Monitoring in UK ...

satnow (@satnow_online). 24 views. Severn Trent and ICEYE Launch Satellite-Based Flood and Wastewater Monitoring in UK Read More: ...

Dec 26,2025
ESA Earth Online

PAZ satellite snapped a stunning high-resolution view over Hebei Province, China. This region includes Weichang Manchu & Mongol Autonomous County, ...

Dec 26,2025
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)