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
Antarctica Doomsday Glacier Rattled by Hundreds of Iceberg Earthquakes

Satellite image shows Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier with lots of blocks of ice broken off and now. Thwaites Glacier in West Antarctica is seen in ...

Jan 8,2026
Satellite Image Providers <5m : r/gis - Reddit

What are the satellite image providers that can provide these. SAR/Multispectral all types.

Jan 8,2026
The missing link: Modern Village Foundation bridges agtech adoption gap for smallholders

It has integrated several technologies, such as drones, satellite imagery, Internet of Things (IoT) insights, soil testing into a low-cost package to ...

Jan 8,2026
Yorta Yorta Nation X-ray of Country | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

Remote sensing and satellite imagery. Using technology to monitor river flows and how ecosystems respond over time. 2025 Sustainable Yields report.

Jan 8,2026
Venezuela • Beijing and Moscow conspicuously absent from Caracas intel support before US attack

... Intelligence Online demonstrates. Even as US threats became increasingly urgent in recent weeks, analysis of Chinese spy satellite imagery over ...

Jan 8,2026
The 'catastrophic' state of Venezuela's oil facilities - Financial Times

... satellite intelligence company Kayrros. Some content could not load. Check your internet connection or browser settings. While Venezuela holds ...

Jan 8,2026
Tracking the sanctioned oil tanker's attempt to escape seizure by the US - Sky News

However, the satellite image below, also taken on 3 September, shows Bella 1 more than 700km away. It was stationed at Kharg Island, Iran's ...

Jan 8,2026
Mapbox adds 10 million square km of 30 cm satellite imagery

The update to the mapbox.satellite tileset integrates 30 cm satellite imagery from Vantor (formerly Maxar Intelligence), for unparalleled ...

Jan 8,2026
️ Low-res satellite imagery seems to confirm damage to Russia's 100th GRAU arsenal in ...

Low-res satellite imagery seems to confirm damage to Russia's 100th GRAU arsenal in Neya, Kostroma region, following a recent strike. Three key...

Jan 8,2026
See the Latest Advancements in Precision Motion Control and Nanopositioning Automation

... satellite communication, super-resolution microscopy and medical device manufacturing. ... Image Credit: PI (Physik Instrumente) LP. The rapidly ...

Jan 8,2026
Possible Oil Detected by Satellite Imagery off Coastal California | IncidentNews | NOAA

Initial Notification: NOAA's National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) observed an anomaly in satellite imagery which ...

Jan 8,2026
GEOG 102T Digital Earth: Geospatial Technology and Society | Old Dominion University

... geospatial intelligence, and humanitarian applications. Satellite imagery, Global Positioning Systems (GPS/GNSS) constellations, geotagged ...

Jan 8,2026
BlackSky Satellite SPAC Suit Settles In Del. For $7.5M - Law360

Then, in February 2021, Osprey entered a $1.5 million merger agreement with BlackSky, which uses satellite imagery for mapping and monitoring shipping ...

Jan 8,2026
Cellular Intelligence Unveils with “AlphaFold Vision” for AI-Driven Cell Therapy

... satellite cells for neuromuscular disorders, and brown adipocytes for metabolic disorders and longevity. Following a $47 million Series A in May ...

Jan 8,2026
U.S. seeks to assert its control over Venezuelan oil with tanker seizures and sales worldwide

Samir Madani, co-founder of TankerTrackers.com, said his organization used satellite imagery and surface-level photos to document that at least 16 ...

Jan 8,2026
SkyFi expands virtual constellation with Vantor satellite imagery - SpaceNews https://t.co ...

Vantor imagery is officially available on the SkyFi platform and mobile app, giving users immediate access to on-demand satellite tasking and high- ...

Jan 8,2026
Farmers urged to conduct digital audits amid rising AI-driven animal activism

She says there's an uptick in efforts using publicly available information like Google Maps and satellite imagery to pinpoint operations as part of ...

Jan 8,2026
Commercial Satellite Imagery Market Trends, Growth & Outlook - MarkNtel

Global Commercial Satellite Imagery Market Research Report Forecast (2026-2032). High-resolution commercial satellite imagery for earth observation.

Jan 8,2026
Venezuela: How the US spent months preparing the military operation to capture Maduro

Twenty-three F-35 fighter jets and six helicopters arrived at the Roosevelt Roads base in mid-December, as shown in a satellite image from December 24 ...

Jan 8,2026
Satellite Images Expose Illegal Structures Near Turkman Gate Mosque - YouTube

In this report, an Unidentified speaker uses satellite imagery to analyze the recent demolition drive near the Faiz-e-Ilahi mosque in Old Delhi.

Jan 8,2026
Satellite Launches
Venezuela: How the US spent months preparing the military operation to capture Maduro

Satellite images show the renovation of a taxiway at the US base of Roosevelt Roads in Ceiba, Puerto Rico. GOOGLE EARTH, PLANET LABS PBC ...

Jan 8,2026
ESA - Clearing of tropical forest in Peru 1995–2020 - European Space Agency

Journalists wishing to participate in either or both the pre-launch and launch ... The satellite images here, acquired by the NASA's Landsat-5 on 10 ...

Jan 8,2026
ULA Eyes Second Vulcan Space Force Launch amid Leadership Change

United Launch Alliance delivered into space the first experimental navigation satellite in half a century. United Launch Alliance. Expand Photo. ULA ...

Jan 8,2026
PSLV-C62 Mission, Payload, Launch, Latest News - Vajiram & Ravi

Unlike conventional imaging satellites, hyperspectral satellites can “see” the Earth in hundreds of wavelengths, allowing them to identify ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO to Launch PSLV-C62 With EOS-N1 Satellite on January 12 - GKToday

The primary payload onboard PSLV-C62 is EOS-N1, an advanced Earth observation imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development ...

Jan 8,2026
Why AST SpaceMobile Stock Crashed Today | The Motley Fool

AST has struggled to launch satellites, and competes with the "unstoppable" Elon Musk and SpaceX. ... Image source: Getty Images. Why Scotiabank ...

Jan 8,2026
Have you seen a string of lights in the skies over central Indiana? You might have spotted ...

Here are some of the upcoming times the company projects will be good to view its satellites: ... launch $350 million hotel, theater … 7 hours ...

Jan 8,2026
Venezuela • Beijing and Moscow conspicuously absent from Caracas intel support before US attack

Even as US threats became increasingly urgent in recent weeks, analysis of Chinese spy satellite imagery ... Launched in 2012, the first, dubbed ...

Jan 8,2026
Isro will usher in NY with PSLV C62 mission on Monday; will launch surveillance sat EOS ...

EOS-N1 is a hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily for the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is capable of ...

Jan 8,2026
Born to innovate in satellite manufacturing

The first two are scientific and community-focused, with payloads for astrophysics research, agriculture, life sciences, and imaging,” Tetlow explains ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO to kick off 2026 with PSLV-C62 launch - The Hans India

EOS-N1 imaging satellite mission · Sriharikota · SDSC SHAR launch · commercial payloads · international participation · LVM3 mission. Similar News ...

Jan 8,2026
Isro's 1st launch of 2026 on January 12: Here's all that India is sending to space

EOS-N1 (ANVESHA). At the heart of the mission is EOS-N1, also known as Anvesha, a sophisticated imaging satellite crafted by the Defence Research and ...

Jan 8,2026
Year's 1st space mission on January 12 to launch Military satellite, test on-orbit refuelling & more

The hyperspectral imaging payload can analyse light in hundreds of wavelengths to identify the materials an object is made of, a capability beyond the ...

Jan 8,2026
China's First J-35A Fighter Jet for Local Air Force Takes Off in 2026 - Militarnyi

Initially, the aircraft was reported to have been developed for China's new Type 003 aircraft carrier, but satellite imagery from 2021-2024 indicated ...

Jan 8,2026
Image: Algae swirls across a South African reservoir - Phys.org

On clear days in Hartbeespoort, South Africa, satellite images often ... NASA's PACE (Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem) mission, launched ...

Jan 8,2026
First images received from Iran's newly launched Paya satellite - Tehran Times

TEHRAN – The Iranian Space Agency (ISA) has released the first images captured by its recently launched Tolou-3 satellite, commonly known as Paya.

Jan 8,2026
Real flying saucers - The Economist

As the number of satellites launched each year increases, so does the value of standardisation. At the moment, the nearest thing the satellite ...

Jan 8,2026
Ukrainian Company Presents Kamikaze Drone Flycat, an Analogue to Bulava and RAM-2X UAVs

Flycat can reach speeds of up to 150 km/h and can operate without relying on satellite navigation systems. The drone is launched via a pneumatic ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO's PSLV Returns To Flight After Rare Failure | WION Podcast - YouTube

... imaging satellite and multiple payloads onboard, the flight carries ... ISRO to Launch First 2026 Mission With PSLV on January 12 | Indian ...

Jan 8,2026
Lansing launches façade improvement program - WLNS

... Satellite · Current Conditions · Weather Stories · PICS ON 6: Share Your ... Images Group via Getty Images). Top Stories. Lansing launches façade ...

Jan 8,2026
EO-MSI
Constellation Brands stock holds steady as Evercore ISI reiterates Outperform rating

Investing.com - Evercore ISI has reiterated its Outperform rating and $170.00 price target on Constellation Brands (NYSE:STZ) following the ...

Jan 8,2026
NASA adds new layer to FIRMS and Worldview - Spatial Source

The new Geostationary Ring Natural Colour RGB imagery layer in NASA's FIRMS and Worldview is updated every three hours.

Jan 8,2026
BlackSky Satellite SPAC Suit Settles In Del. For $7.5M - Law360

BlackSky Satellite SPAC Suit Settles In Del. For $7.5M. By Lauren Berg January 7, 2026, 9:03 PM EST. Special purpose acquisition company Osprey and ...

Jan 8,2026
BlackSky Satellite SPAC Suit Settles In Del. For $7.5M - Law360

... satellite imaging company BlackSky. Osprey, a blank check company now called BlackSky Technology, denies any wrongdoing or liability, but agreed ...

Jan 8,2026
Space ETF Shifts From Defense Giants to Emerging Names

... satellite infrastructure providers, according to index reconstitution data. ... Satellogic Inc. (SATL), which provides Earth observation data, received ...

Jan 8,2026
Global 3D map of 2.75 billion buildings - Spatial Source

The GlobalBuildingAtlas comprises 2.75 billion building models, encompassing all structures captured in PlanetScope satellite imagery from the year ...

Jan 8,2026
Is Planet Labs Building Revenue Stability Through Government Deals? - TradingView

... satellite services and advanced analytics. PL has increasingly ... BlackSky's growth is tied to commercial and defense imagery demand. In ...

Jan 8,2026
Is Planet Labs Building Revenue Stability Through Government Deals? - sharewise

... satellite services and advanced analytics. PL has increasingly ... BlackSky Technology BKSY generated about $102 million in 2024 revenues ...

Jan 8,2026
CES Showstoppers 2026: Infinix Brings Satellite Phones, Extreme Cooling, and Living Design

Infinix stuns CES 2026 with satellite calling, breakthrough cooling tech, living phone designs, and modular AI accessories shaping the future of ...

Jan 8,2026
C-Com develops transportable solutions for HUGHES ESA terminals - Satellite Evolution

ISI selected to build the national backbone for Israel's space ecosystem.

Jan 8,2026
Intuitive Machines Becoming A Satellite Powerhouse For The Golden Dome - Seeking Alpha

, the firm gained its first order since 2023 for a commercial communications satellite. Maxar Technologies had previously traded in the public ...

Jan 8,2026
SkyFi expands virtual constellation with Vantor satellite imagery - SpaceNews

Amazon-like imagery superstore. Vantor, formerly known as Maxar Intelligence, focuses on very-high-resolution optical imagery and derived geospatial ...

Jan 8,2026
BlackSky Technology (BKSY) Gen-3 Rollout: Incremental Upgrade or Quiet Shift in Geospatial Edge?

BlackSky Technology recently brought its Gen-3 satellites into full commercial operation within just 21 days, boosting imagery capacity and ...

Jan 8,2026
SkyFi Integrates Vantor to Deliver On-Demand High-Resolution Geospatial Imagery and ...

... Maxar Intelligence–and SkyFi enables rapid access to critical earth ... "By expanding access to Vantor's industry-leading satellite constellation ...

Jan 8,2026
PlayBox Neo CEO Defines Vision For 2026 - UK Broadcast News - 4RFV

I wish all our customers and partners a highly successful 2026 ahead! playboxneo.com · VMI.TV Ltd. Top Broadcast News Stories.

Jan 8,2026
Can BlackSky (BKSY) Turn Fast Gen‑3 Deployment Into a Durable Edge in AI Analytics?

The company also highlighted advances in its AI‑driven Spectra analytics platform, which increasingly turns raw satellite imagery into operational ...

Jan 8,2026
CubeSat Market Size to Surpass USD 1.98 Billion by 2033, at 18.34% CAGR | SNS Insider

... satellite capacity, PlanetScope, SkySat, and AI-enabled imagery services. 2024, Spire launched seven LEMUR satellites (3U–16U) on SpaceX's ...

Jan 8,2026
Free Satellite Wi-Fi Now Rolling Out on American Airlines | PCMag

By spring, AAdvantage members will be able to surf the web in the air on 'nearly every' American Airlines flight, courtesy of satellite Wi-Fi ...

Jan 8,2026
SAR
ISRO's PSLV-C62 to launch earth observation satellite on January 12 - IANS LIVE

New Delhi, Jan 8 (IANS) The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is expected to launch the EOS-N1 earth observation satellite aboard PSLV-C62 ...

Jan 8,2026
Dhruva Space set to enable 10 space missions via ISRO's PSLV-C62 on Jan 12

... satellite EOS-N1 and 18 other small satellites as piggyback luggage. Polar Access by Dhruva Space is designed to provide structured, repeatable ...

Jan 8,2026
December 2025's top 10 European tech deals you need to know about

ICEYE is an aerospace and satellite technology company that designs ... The capital will be used to expand its SAR satellite constellation ...

Jan 8,2026
Minnesota Starwatch for Jan. 2026 | Mille Lacs Messenger | messagemedia.co

Crowning the display is Capella, the jewel of the constellation Auriga, the charioteer. During the night of Jan. 2nd to 3rd, a full moon steals ...

Jan 8,2026
White Dwarf System Explained: NASA's IXPE Discovery - INSIGHTS IAS

Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Posted on January 8, 2026. 4. India becomes first country to commercially produce bio-bitumen Posted on ...

Jan 8,2026
Earth Observation Satellite EOS-N1 (Anvesha) - INSIGHTS IAS

ISRO's EOS-N1 (Anvesha), launched aboard PSLV-C62, strengthens India's hyperspectral surveillance, agriculture, and environmental monitoring.

Jan 8,2026
PSLV-C62 / EOS-N1 Mission - ISRO

... EOS-N1 earth observation satellite for a user along with providing launch services for 15 co-passenger satellites from domestic & international ...

Jan 8,2026
UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 8 January 2026 - Vajiram & Ravi

The mission's primary payload is the earth observation satellite EOS-N1 (codenamed 'Anvesha'), an hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily ...

Jan 8,2026
Hyderabad startups launching telescope, AI-image lab to space: What will it do?

The primary payload for this mission is Anvesha (EOS-N1), a sophisticated imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development ...

Jan 8,2026
SpaceTech Sector Newsletter - December 2025 | Company Announcement - Investegate

... ICEYE, has been awarded a €1.7bn ... satellite constellation and delivery of sovereign intelligence services across Europe and allied markets.

Jan 8,2026
ISRO rings in the new year with PSLV-C62, launching EOS-N1 and 18 satellites into orbit

India opens 2026 with a crucial PSLV launch carrying a powerful surveillance satellite and experimental payloads, marking a comeback mission that ...

Jan 8,2026
PSLV-C62 Mission, Payload, Launch, Latest News - Vajiram & Ravi

earth observation satellite EOS-N1 (codenamed 'Anvesha'), an hyperspectral imaging satellite developed primarily for the Defence Research and ...

Jan 8,2026
Explained: ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, EOS-N1 satellite and why the January 12 launch matters

The mission will place an advanced Earth observation satellite, EOS-N1, codenamed 'Anvesha', into orbit. Described as a powerful new “eye in the sky”, ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO is ready to kick off 2026 with its 101st orbital attempt - Starlust.org

The mission will see its primary payload, the EOS-N1 (Anvesha), launched aboard the Indian space agency's workhorse, the Polar Satellite Launch ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO Set to Launch Special Satellite and Demonstrate Innovative Space Technologies on ...

... EOS-N1, designed for high-precision monitoring of the Earth's surface. Additionally, the mission will carry 18 smaller satellites from various ...

Jan 8,2026
New year, new mission: ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 on January 12 - Telangana Today

ISRO will begin 2026 with the PSLV-C62 mission on January 12 from Sriharikota, carrying the strategic EOS-N1 imaging satellite and 18 additional ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO on a launch spree. Third launch in three months. PSLV-C62 to launch on Jan-12

The PSLV-C62 mission will carry EOS-N1 (Anvesha) , an advanced Earth observation satellite designed for applications in border surveillance ...

Jan 8,2026
Isro will usher in NY with PSLV C62 mission on Monday; will launch surveillance sat EOS ...

The rocket will launch an advanced earth observation satellite EOS-N1 (codenamed 'Anvesha'), another 'eye in the sky' that will boost India's ...

Jan 8,2026
ISRO to kick off 2026 with PSLV-C62 launch - The Hans India

The mission's primary payload is the EOS-N1, an imaging satellite developed ... EOS-N1 imaging satellite mission · Sriharikota · SDSC SHAR launch ...

Jan 8,2026
Year's 1st space mission on January 12 to launch Military satellite, test on-orbit refuelling & more

India's first space mission of 2026, PSLV-C62, is set to launch on January 12, carrying DRDO's advanced defense satellite Anvesha (EOS-N1) for ...

Jan 8,2026
HSI
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)