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.

Capella Space Active RF
Capella Space Active RF
the CIC encourages partnerships, increases data accessibility, integrates app development, and facilitates the creation of transition-ready prototypes
the CIC encourages partnerships, increases data accessibility, integrates app development, and facilitates the creation of transition-ready prototypes

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
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
Iran sends Jaam-e-Jame 1 satellite into space - Tehran Times

A geosynchronous satellite is a satellite in geosynchronous orbit, with ... The agency's chief further said the Raad 2 satellite, with an imaging ...

Feb 13,2026
Ukraine struck $100 million Russian Nebo-U radar system in occupied Crimea, General Staff claims

... satellite imagery showing a closer and differnt view of dragons teeth and trenches along the beach just west of Yevpatoria, Crimea. (Satellite ...

Feb 13,2026
CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-At... - TikTok

28 Likes, TikTok video from FOX Weather (@foxweather): “ CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-Atlantic states shows ...

Feb 13,2026
SpaceX said to weigh dual-class IPO shares to empower Musk | Fortune

... satellite business. SpaceX is seeking to hold an IPO later this year, in a deal that could raise as much as $50 billion to fund AI data centers in ...

Feb 13,2026
Live Earth Map Satellite View – Apps on Google Play

... satellite view powered by high resolution visuals and live earth map GPS satellite. ... Icon image. No data shared with third parties. Learn more ...

Feb 13,2026
CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-Atlantic states shows this ...

CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-Atlantic states shows this insane weather phenomenon. Gravity waves are the up and ...

Feb 13,2026
China hands over satellite ground station to Namibia, state media reports | Reuters

Chinese officials on Thursday handed over a satellite ground station to Namibia outside the southern African nation's capital Windhoek, ...

Feb 13,2026
Dynamic market for space technology solutions for public sector issues - UKAuthority

"This includes satellite imagery, geospatial analytics, tools for monitoring and forecasting, and applications that integrate geospatial data into ...

Feb 13,2026
Montana State researcher featured in New York Times science story

Thera Macula is often referred to as “chaos terrain” which resembles the fractured ice of Thwaites Glacier. “If you look at satellite imagery of the ...

Feb 13,2026
Lake Champlain officially freezes over for first time since 2019 - WCAX

... satellite imagery. For the past few days, the lake has been virtually 99% frozen, but winds and underwater currents have kept small pockets of the ...

Feb 13,2026
Satellite Image Shows Scale of Japan's Record-Breaking Winter - SnowBrains

A newly released satellite image from Europe's Copernicus Earth observation program offers a striking look at the extraordinary winter Japan has ...

Feb 13,2026
CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-Atlantic states shows this ...

CHECK THIS OUT: Satellite imagery from this morning over the Mid-Atlantic states shows this insane weather phenomenon. Gravity waves are the up ...

Feb 13,2026
Meet the 10 Startups Set to Pitch Their Companies in Startup Space 2026 - Via Satellite

Esper Satellite Imagery, GoKnown, Satlyt, OrbitArch, Planetary Utilities, Ocean Solution Technology, and Space Solar. BULL Co. — Yasuhito Uto, CEO.

Feb 13,2026
Governments of Canada and Manitoba launch satellite-based forage insurance pilot for ...

New pilot project uses satellite technology to streamline reporting and support Manitoba forage producers. February 12, 2026 – Brandon, ...

Feb 13,2026
How Space Force Is Managing Growth at Its Busiest Launch Range

NRO Pulls Back the Veil On Cold War-Era Intelligence Satellite Program. Feb. 2, 2026. The Pentagon agency charged with building and operating U.S. ...

Feb 13,2026
UB scientists selected for NASA satellite mission to map Earth's ice sheets and ecosystems

The EDGE satellite's orbit (orange tracks) extends to the polar regions, allowing for dense mapping around the edges of ice sheets and sea ice ...

Feb 13,2026
When was the last time winter was this consistently cold? - The Washington Post

Satellite imagery captures ice breaking into pieces on Lake Erie on Feb. 8. (Video: Ben Noll/Ben Noll). Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great ...

Feb 13,2026
BlackSky Wins Major Military Contract Fueling Next Gen Satellite Expansion - Sahm

Integrated Technology Stack Driving Demand. The company said it is leveraging its vertically integrated model spanning satellite manufacturing, ...

Feb 13,2026
Satellite Imagery Confirms Destruction of 6000 Russian FPV Drones in Rostov-On-Don Warehouse

Satellite imagery confirms strike on a logistics warehouse in Rostov-on-Don, destroying around 6000 FPV drones on the night of January 13–14 ...

Feb 13,2026
Tropical cyclone Gezani hits Madagascar and threatens Mozambique

Infrared satellite image showing a strong cyclone with a defined eye making landfall on a coastal. Intense Tropical Gezani, 10 Feb 2026, 1500 UTC ...

Feb 13,2026
Satellite Launches
EU project to rival Starlink must meet buyer expectations, Eutelsat CEO says | Reuters

Starlink satellites launch from Cape Canaveral. The SpaceX Falcon 9 ... Musk's AI chatbot Grok gains US market share amid sexualized images backlash, ...

Feb 13,2026
Satellite Images Reveal New Construction Near Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility | Originals - YouTube

US vs Iran: Satellite Images Reveal New Construction Near Iran's ... WATCH: Russia Launches Massive Proton-M Rocket: Elektro-L No. 5 Space ...

Feb 13,2026
NASA SpaceX Crew-12 Launches to International Space Station - YouTube

Russian Proton rocket launches weather satellite from snow covered Kazakhstan ... Real Images Of Venus Show That Something Is Seriously Off With ...

Feb 13,2026
SpaceX Crew-12 mission latest news: Dragon capsule reaches orbit with ISS astronauts

... satellites, each representing one of the crew. The Gaia Earth ... It will launch from SpaceX's pad at Space Launch Complex 40 at the Cape ...

Feb 13,2026
SpaceX's Plan for 1 Million Satellites Faces Light Pollution Backlash | PCMag

... Images Group via Getty Images). DarkSky is also urging ... Sending up one million satellites is expected to require thousands of rocket launches ...

Feb 13,2026
The New Ariane 64 with 4 P120C Boosters Successfully Launches Amazon Leo Satellites

COLLEFERRO, IT / ACCESS Newswire / February 13, 2026 / The European launcher Ariane 6 successfully completed its flight from French Guiana, ...

Feb 13,2026
Axiom Space Raises $350M, in a Mix of Equity and Debt - Via Satellite

Connectivity Arianespace Launches 32 Amazon Leo Satellites in First Ariane 64 Mission · Imagery and Sensing The Compression Company Announces $3.4M ...

Feb 13,2026
Meet the 10 Startups Set to Pitch Their Companies in Startup Space 2026 - Via Satellite

Esper Satellite Imagery, GoKnown, Satlyt, OrbitArch, Planetary ... As more satellites are launched into space and reach the end of their ...

Feb 13,2026
Astronauts launch from Cape Canaveral to the ISS for 8-month mission - YouTube

Real Images Of Venus Show That Something Is Seriously Off With ... Russian Proton rocket launches weather satellite from snow covered Kazakhstan.

Feb 13,2026
Namibia receives China-aided satellite ground station to boost space capabilities - Xinhua

Steenkamp noted that the facility will serve as a strategic national asset, providing independent, high-resolution imagery ... China's commercial rocket ...

Feb 13,2026
Musk sets sights on data center megaconstellation, but is it possible? - Astronomy Magazine

On Jan. 30, SpaceX filed with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for approval to launch up to 1 million satellites for a megaconstellation of ...

Feb 13,2026
Iran sends Jaam-e-Jame 1 satellite into space - Tehran Times

The agency's chief further said the Raad 2 satellite, with an imaging ... Related News. First images received from Iran's newly launched Paya satellite ...

Feb 13,2026
Iran's Jam-e Jam 1 Satellite: What to Know - Caspianpost.com

... images captured by the recently launched Paya satellite, and the unveiling of a new space facility. ... Iran officially entered the space arena in ...

Feb 13,2026
How Space Force Is Managing Growth at Its Busiest Launch Range

A United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan rocket rolls to the launch ... satellite imaging technology and how it has advanced in the decades since.

Feb 13,2026
Space Coast launch schedule: - Orlando Sentinel

These include the Compact Infrared Imaging System, which is an imaging ... satellites from Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39-A at 12:24 p.m. The ...

Feb 13,2026
Russian Proton rocket launches weather satellite from snow covered Kazakhstan - YouTube

A Russian Proton rocket launched the Elektro-L No.5 weather satellite from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Feb. 11, 2026.

Feb 13,2026
Eutelsat: OneWeb revenue up 59.7% in 6 months ending Dec. 31 - Space Intel Report

... satellite, launch and the ... KSat to launch demonstration satellites in 2027 for future geospatial imagery data-relay constellation.

Feb 13,2026
WE HAVE LIFT OFF The European Space Agency (ESA) launched the Ariane 64, the ... - Facebook

The satellites have "orbiting cameras that take images in both visible and infrared light all over the globe, which is very important for military ...

Feb 13,2026
Pakistan Launches PRSC-EO2 Satellite: SUPARCO Successfully Sends Second Indigenous ...

According to SUPARCO officials, this satellite captures extremely clear images of the Earth from space. With the help of these images, changes ...

Feb 13,2026
Musk fires up SpaceX, Bezos pushes Blue Origin as US billionaires race China to moon

... satellite-slinging launch device on the lunar surface. The lunar base would help build up his envisioned AI-computing network of up to one million ...

Feb 13,2026
EO-MSI
ERUPTION AT 20260213/0514Z FL090 EXTD WNW REPORTED OBS VA DTG: 13/0510Z

Satellite image ... isi gullies. Crater glow was visible to the naked eye. Plume(s) rose to ...

Feb 13,2026
Ukraine struck $100 million Russian Nebo-U radar system in occupied Crimea, General Staff claims

... Maxar satellite imagery showing a closer and differnt view of dragons ... In Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian forces struck a logistics warehouse near Selydove ...

Feb 13,2026
Ukraine's Drone Strike Triggers First Major Russian Refinery Shutdown of 2026 - UNITED24

... satellite imagery released on February 12. ... Soldiers attend the 2nd International Legion training as Russia-Ukraine war continues in Lyman,.

Feb 13,2026
Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Constellation, Microsoft and Quanta Services

Wall Street dove into the largest U.S. nuclear power plant operator because it's a best-in-class way to play the nascent nuclear energy revival. CEG's ...

Feb 13,2026
Zacks Investment Ideas feature highlights Constellation, Microsoft and Quanta Services

Constellation Energy stock soared 415% since its early 2022 IPO following a spinoff from Exelon. Wall Street dove into the largest U.S. nuclear ...

Feb 13,2026
Pakistan Successfully Launches Second Indigenous Electro-Optical Satellite | Dunya BOL Hai

... satellite launch | EO-2 satellite | SUPARCO achievement | earth observation data ... Neo News | J191W. Talk Shows Central by DRM•268 watching.

Feb 13,2026
Europe's most powerful rocket carries 32 satellites for Amazon Leo network into space

With 175 satellites already in orbit, Amazon Leo aims to expand its constellation to 3,200. Rival Starlink, meanwhile, has nearly 9,400 satellites. " ...

Feb 13,2026
Assessing AXA (ENXTPA:CS) Valuation As Satellite Data Partnership Refines Disaster Risk Tools

Satellite partnership puts AXA's disaster risk tools in focus AXA ... OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · about 1 month ago. Undervalued Key ...

Feb 13,2026
BlackSky Gen-3 Secures Seven-Figure Defense Contract Boost - TimesTech

Assured provides early intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities for the customer until their satellite systems enter operation. Once ...

Feb 13,2026
Copper Tumbles 12% from Record High as Goldman Warns 'Don't Chase the Rally'

Global copper smelting activity slumped to its lowest January level in nearly a decade, according to satellite monitoring firm Earth-i and its SAVANT ...

Feb 13,2026
Deep Space Energy Pockets €980K to Build European Space Nuclear Power - Payload Space

... satellite. Image: HEO/Satellogic. The NRO awarded three contracts this week, adding to its stable of commercial remote sensing firms that can ...

Feb 13,2026
Superbloom? Death Valley may soon be filled with flowers - MSN

... Calif. The record rainfall. This handout satellite image courtesy of Maxar Technologies shows the Antelope valley poppy preserve in Lancaster.

Feb 13,2026
Pakistan Successfully Launches Its Second Indigenous Satellite | Breaking News - YouTube

Pakistan Successfully Launches Its Second Indigenous Satellite | Breaking News | Dawn News ... Neo News #emotional. Zabardast With Wasi Shah. New. 232K ...

Feb 13,2026
Is Constellation Energy (CEG) Pricing Reflecting Recent Volatility And Long Term Growth Hopes

... Constellation Energy has focused on its role as a major ... OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · about 1 month ago. Undervalued Key ...

Feb 13,2026
International legions integrated into Ukrainian assault units | UA.NEWS

The international legions within the Armed Forces of Ukraine have not been disbanded. Instead, they have been integrated into the assault units of ...

Feb 13,2026
Satellite images confirm severe damage at Oil Refinery in Ukhta - UA.NEWS

Satellite imagery has confirmed serious damage at the oil refinery ... News War with the russian federation · International legions integrated ...

Feb 13,2026
is bksy a good stock to buy — Guide - Bitget

BlackSky Technology, Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) is a U.S.-listed company that provides space‑based geospatial intelligence, satellite imagery, and analytics.

Feb 13,2026
BlackSky Technology Stock: Performance and Market Outlook - Bitget

At the heart of BlackSky's value proposition is its high-revisit satellite constellation. ... Maxar Technologies: A long-standing leader in high- ...

Feb 13,2026
SATL Stock Price Analysis: Satellogic Inc. Market Trends - Bitget

Investors scrutinize quarterly earnings reports to see if the growth in satellite deployments translates into high-margin data subscription renewals.

Feb 13,2026
Concern grows in US over fate of Afghans awaiting resettlement - IANS LIVE

... Dove said, describing the situation as “a living nightmare” for those ... ISRO taking steps to cut ...

Feb 13,2026
SAR
LABOR NEWS—Agencies instructed to implement EOs terminating federal employees ...

... Satellite, Data, and Information Service; the International Trade Administration; the Office of the Commissioner for Patents and subordinate units ...

Feb 13,2026
World War II Drama 'Battle of Oslo' Sells Wide for Global Constellation (EXCLUSIVE)

More from Variety. (L-R) Maria Paz Eberhard (APCT-CinemaChile), Gabriela Sandoval (CinemaChile · Chile Selected as Guest Country of Honor at Mexico's ...

Feb 13,2026
Umbra to hire 100-plus employees, expand to new Reston office - The Business Journals

Umbra develops spacecraft that provide high‑resolution radar satellite imagery and custom satellite‑mission services that let organizations ...

Feb 13,2026
AXA DCP partners with Planet Labs for near-real-time disaster monitoring - Yahoo Finance

... satellite operator ICEYE to integrate synthetic aperture radar imagery into the platform's monitoring services. ICEYE's data will be used to track ...

Feb 13,2026
Find the Twins: Gemini Constellation - NASA Science

... constellation, Auriga. The stars of Auriga rise before Gemini's, and its brightest star, Capella, doesn't pair up as strikingly with its second ...

Feb 13,2026
A Constellation of Excellence – Galaxy Macau Secures 12 Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star ...

This year's distinction is bolstered by the inclusion of three notable new additions to its decorated roster: Capella at Galaxy Macau, the newly ...

Feb 13,2026
Neupulse raise 3 million for delivery of neurotherapeutic technology | Startups Magazine

The round was led by Eos Advisory and the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, through appointed fund manager Mercia Ventures, with participation from ...

Feb 13,2026
Gilat Receives Over $16M Order to Supply SATCOM Systems to a - ASDNews

... Satellite Networks © Gilat Satellite Networks ©. Gilat Satellite ... EOS Defence Systems Sign Teaming Agreement to Cooperation in RCWS ...

Feb 13,2026
Space Technology Company Umbra to Invest $6.75 Million to Establish Operations in Fairfax County

Umbra's next-level accuracy and agility are powered by the company's synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation, which is capable of ...

Feb 13,2026
Space Technology Company Umbra Expands Virginia Operations with $6.75 Million ...

RICHMOND, VA — Umbra, a leading U.S. space technology company specializing in advanced remote sensing and resilient satellite systems, will expand ...

Feb 13,2026
Pakistan launches second satellite from China's space centre - Newspaper - DAWN.COM

Last year, Pakistan launched its first indigenous Electro-Optical (EO-1) satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in China. ... Eos/Icon/Young ...

Feb 13,2026
Umbra Expands to Reston With $6.75M Investment, Adding 100+ Space Tech Jobs in Fairfax County

Umbra, a U.S. space technology company known for advanced remote sensing and resilient satellite ... Umbra's constellation is capable of delivering ...

Feb 13,2026
First Chinese Type 09V Nuclear Powered Attack Submarine Appears At Bohai - Naval News

Naval News has received a number of detailed satellite photos showing the new design in the flooded drydock. ... Image via EOS Land Viewer.

Feb 13,2026
Space tech company to invest $6.75M, add 100 jobs in Reston - Virginia Business

In 2021, Umbra launched their first commercial radar satellite with Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) capabilities. Photo courtesy Umbra.

Feb 13,2026
Space Technology Company Umbra to Invest $6.75 Million to Establish Operations in Fairfax County

... Umbra's rapidly growing remote sensing data and custom satellite systems divisions. "We are honored that Umbra has chosen Fairfax County for their ...

Feb 13,2026
Capella Minerals Appoints Nursel Atar to Board of Directors - Junior Mining Network

Mr. Eric Roth reports: VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 12, 2026 /CNW/ - Capella Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CMIL) ...

Feb 13,2026
Electro Optical Systems Stock (EOS): A Comprehensive Market Guide - Bitget

Discover everything you need to know about Electro Optical Systems stock (ASX: EOS). ... satellite laser tracking. As of late 2024, EOS remains a ...

Feb 13,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)