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
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
Sourcing high-resolution satellite imagery for H2 2025? : r/gis - Reddit

My go to source for current satellite imagery has been the Sentinel-2 L2A satellite but it's not high resolution enough - when I zoom in to the scale ...

Jan 7,2026
Turkman Gate Demolition Debate: Stone Pelting, Political Blame Game Erupts Over SP MP'S Role

... satellite imagery of the illegal structures and features former IB Special Director Yashovardhan Azad on the police's restraint. The discussion ...

Jan 7,2026
IRPL-VO: Illumination-Robust Visual Odometry Based on Multi-Stage Point-Line Feature Interaction

A UAV location method based on aerial-satellite image matching and factor graph optimization in GNSS denied aera. IOPscience. Journals · Books · IOP ...

Jan 7,2026
Unprecedented Data on Global River Quality, Quantity Now Gathered From Space, Powered ...

... satellite mission launched by NASA and France's Centre National d ... image. “This allows us to isolate the pixels where sediment ...

Jan 7,2026
How to Make Communities More Resilient to Climate Change

... Geospatial Analytics. “Policies designed to incentivize ... Satellite image of a hurricane. - Research Improves Accuracy of Climate ...

Jan 7,2026
US 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 ... Windward, a maritime intelligence firm that ...

Jan 7,2026
Stellant Systems to be Acquired by TransDigm for $960M - Via Satellite

Its products include the nanoMPM RF power amplifier, which supports the Airbus OneSat satellite line. According to TransDigm, Stellant Systems is ...

Jan 7,2026
US 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 ... intelligence firm that tracks such vessels, said ...

Jan 7,2026
2025 Wrapped and programs to help you! - Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus

Please scan the QR code or click here or on the image above to register! ... Satellite Office. Delaware Township. 116 Wilson Hill Road Dingmans Ferry ...

Jan 7,2026
North Pacific winter storm tracks shifting poleward much faster than predicted - Phys.org

Satellite image of a winter storm in western North America. Credit: Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere (CIRA). Alaska's glaciers ...

Jan 7,2026
Tropical Cyclone 12S (Jenna) / Invest 90B / Invest 92P - Pacific Disaster Center

Animated multi-spectral satellite imagery (msi) depicts tropical cyclone 12S (Jenna) with deep convection drifting off to the south of the low-level ...

Jan 7,2026
Most AI models for satellite imagery need thousands of labelled images. But this new tool ...

Yohan (@yohaniddawela). 18 likes 738 views. Most AI models for satellite imagery need thousands of labelled images.

Jan 7,2026
Environment disaster monitoring system based on remote sensing satellite image using AI ...

Natural disasters are an incredible resource for knowing the weather without satellite monitoring techniques. Increasing seasonal monsoon rains ...

Jan 7,2026
US seizes Russian-flagged tanker in Atlantic as UK confirms it gave support to operation

... satellite images of Marinera. ... It was on a list of tankers under US sanctions. A satellite image of the Marinera and an attached map showing it's ...

Jan 7,2026
Intuitive Machines Becoming A Satellite Powerhouse For The Golden Dome - Seeking Alpha

Intuitive Machines' acquisition of Lanteris and KinetX positions it as a vertically integrated satellite provider. Read why LUNR stock is upgraded ...

Jan 7,2026
Leveraging Small-Object Detection in Satellite Imagery Using Dual Attention-Augmented ...

Download Citation | On Jan 6, 2026, Likhit Yammanuru and others published Leveraging Small-Object Detection in Satellite Imagery Using Dual ...

Jan 7,2026
Possible 60-degree temperature in Michigan, and plenty of precipitation on the way

Multiple Storm Systems Lined Up in the Pacific: The satellite images ... satellite imagery. These systems will continue to affect Michigan's ...

Jan 7,2026
China in Russia and Ukraine: October 2025 | Council on Foreign Relations

... satellite intelligence on strategic targets in Ukraine, including sites owned by foreign investors. A day earlier, Ukrainian media reported that ...

Jan 7,2026
Satellite Launches
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
U.S. Forces Seize Fleeing Russian-Flagged Oil Tanker In North Atlantic (Updated)

Russian news outlet RT had earlier released imagery said to have ... The launch of RAF QRA aircraft from RAF Lossiemouth and supporting AAR ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO Set For First Mission Of 2026, India's Next Space Adventure Soon | WION - YouTube

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission on January 12. Watch the full video to know more ...

Jan 7,2026
As AI Grows, Should We Move Data Centers to Space? - Time Magazine

The refrigerator-sized satellite—equipped with an AI brain—was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket into a very precise and particular orbit. Most ...

Jan 7,2026
U.S. seizes Russian-flagged oil tanker linked to Venezuela after weekslong pursuit

Emmanuel Belostrino, an oil market analyst at Kpler, said satellite imagery and port reports indicate the Sophia was “laden with around 2 million ...

Jan 7,2026
SpaceX and ISRO Coordinate Concurrent Rideshare and Constellation Launch Schedules

SpaceX successfully initiated its 2026 flight manifest with the deployment of 29 Starlink satellites, marking a rapid start to a year defined by ...

Jan 7,2026
Naval Research Lab Sharpens Navy's Sights with a Domain-Centric Path for Smarter Sensing

The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) launched a remote sensing experiment to sharpen artificial intelligence (AI) applications in ...

Jan 7,2026
Commercial Satellite Imaging Market is expected to generate a revenue of USD 12.47 ...

High Costs of Satellite Launch and Maintenance: The substantial expense associated with the deployment and upkeep of satellites is a considerable ...

Jan 7,2026
Maduro Ouster: China Loses Space Ally After US Operation in Venezuela - Bloomberg.com

... launched during his first term to go ... 12: India to launch a hyperspectral imaging satellite aboard a PSLV rocket, following a failure in May.

Jan 7,2026
Snow-covered Amsterdam - ESA

... Images. About ESA. The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's ... Journalists wishing to participate in either or both the pre-launch and launch ...

Jan 7,2026
Lilly, J&J launches top Clarivate's Drugs to Watch 2026 report - Fierce Pharma

rocket, launch, satellite, space, fly, blast off Eli Lilly's ... (3DSculptor/iStock/Getty Images Plus). Eli Lilly has dominated headlines in ...

Jan 7,2026
2026 Outlook: Can Acquisition Reform Deliver for Military Space? - SpaceNews

As launch costs fall and satellite manufacturing gets cheaper, is it ... Next SkyFi expands virtual constellation with Vantor satellite imagery ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026 strengthening India's space ...

It is designed to be a tool for strategic reconnaissance and high-resolution imaging. The satellite is expected to enhance the country's space-based ...

Jan 7,2026
RKLB Outperforms Industry in the Past Month: Time to Buy the Stock? - The Globe and Mail

... launched its 21st Electron rocket of the year from Mahia, New Zealand. The mission deployed an Earth-imaging satellite ... launch agreement. This ...

Jan 7,2026
EO-MSI
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
C-Com develops transportable solutions for HUGHES ESA terminals - Satellite Evolution

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

Jan 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
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 7,2026
CubeSat Market Size to Surpass USD 1.98 Billion by 2033, at 18.34% CAGR | SNS Insider

... satellite missions.Austin, Jan. 07, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) ... satellite capacity, PlanetScope, SkySat, and AI-enabled imagery services.

Jan 7,2026
ISI selected to build the national backbone for Israel's space ecosystem - Satellite Evolution

ImageSat International has announced that the Access to Space consortium, in which ISI is a member, has been selected by the Israel Space Agency ...

Jan 7,2026
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 7,2026
Satellite Data Services Market Competition Analysis 2026: How Players Are Shaping Growth

Maxar Technologies, the largest player along with Airbus, Planet Labs, and L3Harris Technologies, maintains a competitive edge through advanced ...

Jan 7,2026
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 7,2026
Stunning satellite images show north turned white by snow - STV News

Satellite images show the north of Scotland turned white by snow. NASA Worldview. Satellite images show the north of Scotland turned white by snow.

Jan 7,2026
SAR
These Strategic ISRO Missions Are Set For 1Q 2026 - Orbital Today

The other strategic satellite mission will be the orbiting of EOS-05 said to be the Geo Imaging Satellite (GISAT-2) by the Geosynchronous ...

Jan 7,2026
Japanese MOD Contracts Astroscale For Satellite Gripping Mechanism - Aviation Week

iceye SAR satellite illustration · Japan's IHI Buys Iceye Satellites To Build SAR Constellation. Space Digest. Get The Space Newsletter. Our award ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026 strengthening India's space ...

... satellite EOS-N1. This mission also carries a Spanish mini-satellite and 17 international and domestic commercial payloads, showcasing India's ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO To Launch PSLV-C62 Mission From Sriharikota On January 12 - YouTube

ISRO LVM3-M6 Launches Heaviest Satellite Ever | BlueBird Block-2 Mission Success ... ISRO to Launch PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission on January 12 | WION.

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to kick off 2026 with PSLV-C62 EOS-N1 Anvesha launch on January 12 - MSN

The launch will mark the 64th flight of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the 5th use of the PSLV-DL variant, equipped with two ...

Jan 7,2026
La Paz | Spectator - Real-Time Satellite Monitoring

Latest satellite imagery and future satellite acquisitions for La Paz in Mexico. Coordinates: 24.1620°N, -110.3159°E.

Jan 7,2026
After two strategic mission setbacks in 2025 ISRO prepares for Twin Strategic Missions in early 2026

... Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV-F17, the government said. Anvesha (EOS-N1) is a hyperspectral satellite, equipped with advanced sensors capable of ...

Jan 7,2026
Year's 1st space mission on January 12 to launch Military satellite, test on-orbit refuelling & more

EOS-N1 is designed to provide the Indian military with advanced, unprecedented surveillance advantages over adversaries. The hyperspectral imaging ...

Jan 7,2026
SpaceX and ISRO Coordinate Concurrent Rideshare and Constellation Launch Schedules

The upcoming ISRO mission, designated PSLV-C62, will carry the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite alongside 18 secondary payloads from the Satish ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 mission on January 12, 2026 strengthening India's space ...

... satellite launching and international partnerships. It carries a high-resolution earth observation satellite named EOS-N1, developed by the ...

Jan 7,2026
North American Buyer Purchased Australian R400 Combat Modules Used on Ukrainian YPR-765s

Australian company Electro Optic Systems Holdings Limited (EOS) has announced a new contract for the supply of its R400 remotely piloted combat ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to Launch PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission on January 12 | WION - YouTube

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the PSLV-C62/EOS-N1 Mission ... ISRO Satellite Launch: ISRO to Launch PSLV-C62 on ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to Launch First 2026 Mission With PSLV on January 12 | Indian Space Research Organisation

ISRO is set to begin its 2026 launch calendar with a PSLV mission carrying the EOS-N1 Earth observation satellite from Sriharikota on January 12.

Jan 7,2026
ISRO's first launch of 2026 scheduled for January 12; to carry DRDO satellite among other payloads

According to an ISRO official, the mission's primary payload is the EOS-N1, an imaging satellite developed by the Defence Research and Development ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to Launch PSLV-C62 With EOS-N1 Satellite on January 12 - GKToday

Officials said EOS-N1 will be placed into its intended orbit using the reliable Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Mission Timeline and Launch Details.

Jan 7,2026
One rocket, multiple payloads: ISRO's first launch of 2026 on 'India's space bus' - The Week

The main passenger on this flight is a satellite called EOS-N1, or Anvesha, weighing several hundred kilograms. Built by India's Defence Research ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO to kick off 2026 with PSLV-C62 launch on January 12 - The Hindu

ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission, featuring the EOS-N1 satellite, launches on January 12, 2026, from Sriharikota.

Jan 7,2026
Satellite Data Services Market Competition Analysis 2026: How Players Are Shaping Growth

Meanwhile, agile innovators such as ICEYE, RMSI, Spire, BlackSky, EUMETSAT, and EOS Data Analytics continue to capture niche demand through ...

Jan 7,2026
ISRO set for year's first launch - News Arena

ISRO will launch PSLV-C62 on January 12 carrying the strategic EOS-N1 satellite, a Spanish probe and 17 global payloads from Sriharikota.

Jan 7,2026
ISRO To Launch PSLV-C62 Mission With EOS-N1 Satellite On January 12 From Sriharikota

ISRO to launch PSLV-C62 on Jan 12, 2026, carrying EOS-N1 satellite and 18 co-passenger payloads from Sriharikota.

Jan 7,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)