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
China's Proposed Megaconstellations Would Flood Orbit With 200,000 Satellites - Gizmodo

If they were to launch, however, they would exponentially increase the total number of satellites currently orbiting our planet. Satellite overdose.

Jan 16,2026
My hope is building for a 'Garmin Pro' series of satellite watches in 2026 | Android Central

Satellite on smartwatches is a vital safety feature, one that's ... image. Every smart home brand should be watching how Bose is sunsetting ...

Jan 16,2026
Has anyone come across satellite or geospatial data turning out to be inaccurate? As in ... - Reddit

Geospatial AI is used, and it's not magic or anything like that. It detects patterns in real satellite data: ground movements, subsidence, slope ...

Jan 16,2026
ESA's Celeste LEO-PNT Still to Launch - Inside GNSS

... Image courtesy ESA ... Celeste is the cornerstone of ESA's FutureNAV programme and represents a significant evolution for satellite navigation.

Jan 16,2026
Natimuk fire offers a glimpse into a new kind of bushfire fuelled by our changing climate - ABC News

Fire data is made available by the Victoria Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action. Satellite imagery is from the Sentinel-2 L2A ...

Jan 16,2026
We're back. The weather doesn't pause, and neither do we. Satellite imagery as of ... - Facebook

Satellite imagery as of Friday, January 16, 2026 at 1:25 PM shows a trough producing thunderstorms near Jamaica. Some of this activity could affect ...

Jan 16,2026
Atmospheric River Impacting Alaskan Weather

This loop also shows the challenges associated with using geostationary imagery in polar regions: the significant displacement from the sub-satellite ...

Jan 16,2026
Satellite manufacturer York Space Systems sets terms for $512 million IPO

Satellite manufacturer York Space Systems sets terms for $512 million IPO ... Why IPO Intelligence · Features · Our Clients · IPO Data · IPO APIs ...

Jan 16,2026
Witness says ICE detainee died after guards at Texas detention facility choked him

This Aug. 7, 2025, satellite image shows construction of large white tents for. 2 of 3 |. This Aug. 7, 2025, satellite image shows construction ...

Jan 16,2026
How AI Is Helping Farmers Make Earlier, Smarter Decisions on Crop Health, Water Use, and ...

Satellite imagery provides a consistent, wide-area view of crop conditions over time. When AI models analyse this imagery, they focus on changes ...

Jan 16,2026
Gulf-front Siesta Key estate lists for $26 million | Your Observer

Arched loggias connect outdoor and indoor living spaces. Image courtesy of Three Sixty Views ... A satellite image of Hurricane Irma. December 4, 2025 ...

Jan 16,2026
The FAA is warning U.S. airlines that "potential risks exist for aircraft at all altitudes" over ...

... and possible satellite navigation interference. Pete Muntean's Image on X. 2. 18. 33. 3344 · · Explore Trending StoriesGo to HomeSearch XNews.

Jan 16,2026
French Launch Startup Wins Breakthrough Eutelsat Launch Deal - Via Satellite

Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access · Connectivity Lynk Global Tests D2D in Philippines With Smart ...

Jan 16,2026
How to Feed Ten Billion People by Yurdi Yasmi - Project Syndicate

Drones can plant seeds and deliver inputs with pinpoint accuracy. AI platforms can use satellite imagery to provide tailored, real-time ...

Jan 16,2026
Dr. Matthew Adepoju's Post - LinkedIn

... imagery & change ... Integrating satellite imagery, geospatial analytics, and spectrum monitoring for enforcement and governance is commendable.

Jan 16,2026
New map reveals a rugged world beneath the Antarctic ice sheet - Phys.org

Mapping the hidden subsurface world. To create their map, the team combined high-resolution satellite imagery of the ice surface with existing ice- ...

Jan 16,2026
In addition to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, satellite imagery from Thursday, January 15 ... - Instagram

317 likes, 2 comments - osintdefender on January 16, 2026: "In addition to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, satellite imagery from Thursday, January 15 ...

Jan 16,2026
Satellite imagery reveals US ally's aircraft carrier upgrades - MSN

Recently updated satellite imagery shows the latest stage of modifications converting a Japanese naval ship into an aircraft carrier capable of ...

Jan 16,2026
ICE says a Cuban immigrant died in a suicide attempt. A witness says guards pinned and choked him

... FILE - This Aug. 7, 2025, satellite image shows construction of large white tents for a new ...

Jan 16,2026
This Day in History: Persian Gulf War begins - YouTube

17:27. Go to channel Covert Cabal · Full Breakdown of Maduro Raid - NEW Satellite Imagery Revealing Extent of Damage. Covert Cabal New 173K views · 13 ...

Jan 16,2026
Satellite Launches
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
French Launch Startup Wins Breakthrough Eutelsat Launch Deal - Via Satellite

Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access ... It is a multi-launch agreement for the future launch of Low-Earth ...

Jan 16,2026
China Wants to Send Thousands of Satellites to Space—and Challenge SpaceX's Dominance

satellite connection around earth. China Wants to Launch Thousands of Satellites Andriy Onufriyenko - Getty Images. Here's what you'll learn when ...

Jan 16,2026
Senators Introduce Legislation to Streamline Satellite Licensing

Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access ... Launch Orbital Paradigm's Capsule Transmitted Data Despite ...

Jan 16,2026
Convergence Comes of Age: 2026 Shifts Satellite Promise into Commercial Reality

Latest News. Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access ... satellite manufacturing, launch services and ...

Jan 16,2026
Diffraqtion's quantum camera for space apps draws $4.2M round | Fierce Sensors

... imaging systems at much lower cost today's satellites and ground-based telescopes. ... “Yet despite the boom in low-cost launches, we still lack ...

Jan 16,2026
Explainer: What is the status of Iran's main nuclear facilities? | Reuters

Satellite imagery over Fordow before US strikes. Military personnel ... categoryUK navy launches new crewless helicopter to counter North Atlantic ...

Jan 16,2026
Ukraine war latest: UK position 'of destructive nature', says Russia - but Moscow hails 'step ...

Before Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, Ukraine established itself as a key global grain supplier due to its ability to export the ...

Jan 16,2026
China conducts static fire test of new reusable Long March 12B rocket - SpaceNews

... Satellite Launch Center, northwest China. The China Aerospace Science ... Images released by CACL suggest features consistent with a reusable ...

Jan 16,2026
First Earth Observation Satellite Images Released: Remote Sensing Breakthrough

A newly launched Earth observation satellite has delivered its first sets of imagery, marking a major milestone in its transition from launch to ...

Jan 16,2026
Fears of 'mega constellation' rise as China plan to launch 200,000 satellites into space

... launch military satellites into space (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images). The growing influence of private companies in the aerospace world continues ...

Jan 16,2026
Data Turns Strategic as AgriTech Analysts Gain Ground Worldwide - Ecofin Agency

The analyst processes climate, agronomic, geospatial and commercial data collected through sensors, drones, satellite imagery and digital platforms.

Jan 16,2026
Senegal's SENSAT Project Announces Second Satellite Launch For 2026 - Ecofin Agency

Senegal plans to launch second satellite, GAINDESAT-1B, in 2026 ... The 1U CubeSat collects environmental data and imagery, which officials ...

Jan 16,2026
3 Stocks to Watch From the Satellite and Communication Industry - Yahoo Finance

The Zacks Satellite and Communication industry includes space technology companies that offer satellite imagery ... satellite and launch vehicle ...

Jan 16,2026
Submeter Resolution Microsatellite SAR for Assessing Arctic Permafrost Coastal Erosion

Its first microsatellite was launched in 2021, and currently there are eight satellites ... satellite imagery.” Cryosphere 19 (5): 1825–1847 ...

Jan 16,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M Series A Funding to Advance Access to Satellite Imagery and Analytics

Anthropic Appoints Irina Ghose to Lead India Expansion Ahead of Bengaluru Office Launch. James Dargan January 16, 2026. Symbolic.ai Agrees To News ...

Jan 16,2026
Space is Getting Crowded, and Policy Governing Low Earth Orbit is Broken

(Photo by Kevin Carter/Getty Images) ... The overwhelming dominance of SpaceX in today's markets for launch and LEO satellite broadband is a warning ...

Jan 16,2026
EO-MSI
Man-made landforms in Doha, Qatar, captured by a SkySat satellite. #fblifestyle - Facebook

Man-made landforms in Doha, Qatar, captured by a SkySat satellite. #fblifestyle.

Jan 16,2026
Neo Space Group

#SyntheticApertureRadar (SAR), ; #NSGUP42 makes ; #Earthobservation simple, scalable, and fast. ; #NeoSpaceGroup ...

Jan 16,2026
Future Perspectives: Key Trends Shaping the Commercial Satellite Imaging Market Until 2030

Several prominent companies are steering the commercial satellite imaging market forward. These include Airbus SE, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Maxar ...

Jan 16,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M Series A Funding to Advance Access to Satellite Imagery and Analytics

The platform aggregates data from more than 50 geospatial imagery partners, offering on-demand satellite ... Vantor–formerly known as Maxar Intelligence ...

Jan 16,2026
Don Bacon: Trump Invading Greenland Would 'End' Presidency - Mediaite

“It's about whether the United States intends to face a constellation ... CNN's Dana Bash Stunned By Trump Admin Using 'Coded' Neo-Nazi Language.

Jan 16,2026
Intuitive Machines Expands Beyond the Moon After Closing Major Satellite Acquisition

Lanteris, previously known as Maxar Space Systems, is best known for delivering spacecraft operating across low, medium and geostationary Earth orbit.

Jan 16,2026
Bangladesh Protest Student Leader Vs Army Pakistan ISI | Osman Hadi Murder Hindu Violence

Our sources in the Army say that even the communication channel between the Army and interim government is not working properly.' 'Pakistani ISI ...

Jan 16,2026
AfricanBet Reports Significant Development in Satellite Espionage Launch by Algeria from China

In a notable strategic move, Algeria has successfully launched a new espionage satellite from Chinese territory, marking an advanced milestone in ...

Jan 16,2026
Evercore ISI lowers Wells Fargo stock price target to $105 on NII concerns

Evercore ISI lowers Wells Fargo stock price target to $105 on NII concerns. ... Constellation Software. 2,922.01, -3.34%, 182.11K. Name, Last, Chg ...

Jan 16,2026
SAR
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
How metal 3D printing is powering scalable production - Engineer Live

AM has dipped its toes into small and medium scale production (think hip cups or satellite parts), and with the development of the EOS M4 ONYX we ...

Jan 16,2026
Why Indian private satellites on PSLV-C62 mission weren't insured - NewsBytes

The recent failure of ISRO's PSLV-C62-EOS-N1 mission highlighted a significant issue in India's private space sector - the lack of satellite ...

Jan 16,2026
ISRO's PSLV-C62 Mission Fails: India's Space Ambitions Face Scrutiny After Second Setback

The primary payload, EOS-N1, a high-stakes hyperspectral imaging satellite for national security and civilian applications, was lost. The setbacks ...

Jan 16,2026
Future Perspectives: Key Trends Shaping the Commercial Satellite Imaging Market Until 2030

... ICEYE Finland Oy, Satshots LLC, and Predicio Analytics Inc. Strategic Expansion through Acquisition in the Commercial Satellite Imaging Market In ...

Jan 16,2026
SkyFi Secures $12.7M Series A Funding to Advance Access to Satellite Imagery and Analytics

The platform aggregates data from more than 50 geospatial imagery partners, offering on-demand satellite ... ICEYE US, and Planet to deliver on-demand ...

Jan 16,2026
No Indian private satellite on failed PSLV mission was insured: Report - CNBC TV18

ISRO's PSLV-C62-EOS-N1 failure highlights gaps in India's private satellite insurance, raising concerns as new space policy is debated after ...

Jan 16,2026
India's PSLV-C62 Failed With Third Stage Likely Intact; No Explosion - Orbital Today

The satellite, comparable to EOS-04 launched in 2022, was intended to enhance India's surveillance capabilities. The estimated loss from that mission ...

Jan 16,2026
#Erfan Soltani: The Face of Irans Protest Movement Facing Execution | Zee News

PSLV-EOS-N1Mission Anomaly What the Earth Observation Satellite Was.. Photo Thumbnail Play icon. ×. What Is Enforcement Directorate and Who Controls ...

Jan 16,2026
NEWSLETTER: From Poland with Love. December

... satellite specialist ICEYE, and Poland's deep-tech firm SATIM Monitoring Satelitarny in a cutting-edge satellite reconnaissance programme. At the ...

Jan 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
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 16,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)