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
From Data Silos to Development Synergy: How AI is Fulfilling Leontief's Vision for Inclusive Growth

These are modern-day input–output loops — not between coal and steel, but between voice data and policy, between satellite imagery and disaster relief ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite images show N. Korea's Nampo port frozen over - DailyNK

NASA satellite imagery shows North Korea's Nampo Port and Taedong River frozen solid.

Feb 5,2026
Lake Erie is nearly frozen over: Could it hit a rare full freeze? - cleveland.com

Overhead satellite imagery of Lake Erie showing extensive ice coverage over most of the lake, A VIIRS satellite image captured Wednesday, Feb. 4 ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite images reveal build up of US fighter jets and missile defences ahead of US-Iran ...

Ahead of planned nuclear talks between the United States and Iran, satellite imagery reveals how the US is positioning itself for potential ...

Feb 5,2026
UANI Statement on Iran Sanctions Evasion in Malaysia

Using satellite imagery, UANI confirms that on January 11, 2026, approximately 60 ghost fleet tankers linked to Iranian oil shipments were present ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite methane detection: turning data into action - Energy Connects

... satellite methane data is generated, interpreted and operationalised to ... intelligence and digital asset management were transforming the ...

Feb 5,2026
Lloyd's List Intelligence builds AIS data leadership with new Kinéis partnership | AJOT.COM

Lloyd's List Intelligence (LLI) has signed a new partnership with satellite operator Kinéis, expanding its satellite coverage and reinforcing its ...

Feb 5,2026
Russia Expands Shahed Drone Sites in Smolensk and Rostov Regions

According to satellite imagery from January 3, Russia is actively expanding a launch site for Shahed attack drones at Shatalovo Airfield in the ...

Feb 5,2026
Lake Michigan ice cover surges, but nowhere near historical maximum - WWMT

VIIRS True Color satellite imagery from Feb. 1 shows some ofthe ice that has built up on the Great Lakes. Some of the ice is veiled byclouds, also ...

Feb 5,2026
Russian Offensive Campaign Assessment, February 4, 2026 | ISW

Russia continues to expand its Shahed drone launch sites. A Ukrainian source reported on February 4 that satellite imagery from January 3 of the ...

Feb 5,2026
Climate, pests and pollution fuel crop losses across India | News - Eco-Business

Satellite imagery and other remote-sensing technologies are used to monitor the impact of extreme weather and detect pest and disease pressures.

Feb 5,2026
Satellite data can be used to increase yields and improve sustainability in smallholder ... - Science

To overcome these challenges, my research program develops methods that use state-of-the-art satellite sensors and artificial intelligence to create ...

Feb 5,2026
Specialist US military jet latest to be tracked in Middle East as build-up continues - BBC

Satellite imagery showing Gaza rubble helps confirm location of Israeli ... We matched the collapsed buildings and cleared rubble seen in the video with ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite imagery and witness testimony have raised international concern after parts of ... - Instagram

Satellite imagery and witness testimony have raised international concern after parts of a historic war cemetery in Gaza were reportedly damaged ...

Feb 5,2026
Beijing tightens information monopoly in Tibet with massive satellite TV upgrade

Approximately 19 hours daily broadcast. Rows of satellite dishes for distribution in Chamdo. (Image: State media/propaganda, January 2026).

Feb 5,2026
New space satellite lab 'puts UK on the map' - BBC

A new facility that will help develop and test space satellite engines opens in Oxfordshire.

Feb 5,2026
Infosys Concludes HackWithInfy 2025; Reinforces Commitment to Nurturing Talent

They developed Multimodal Earth Analyst, an AI-powered geospatial intelligence platform that autonomously fuses time-series satellite imagery with ...

Feb 5,2026
Inaugural ASU–Science Prize winners use AI to help farmers, trafficking victims

From continent-spanning satellite imagery to distributed criminal networks hiding online, some of our most intractable challenges are buried ...

Feb 5,2026
US Ignores Iran's Warning, Masses Jets In Ally Nation; Khamenei To Prey On Panicked ...

New U.S. satellite imagery reveals a major American military buildup near Iran, with F-15E Strike Eagles spotted at Jordan's Muwaffaq Salti Air ...

Feb 5,2026
#WEATHER: Satellite imagery shows a frontal system making it's way over the Yucatan ... - Facebook

WEATHER: Satellite imagery shows a frontal system making it's way over the Yucatan Peninsula region. The system will arrive over our area in the ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite Launches
Iran Unveils Hatef-3 Test Satellite for Planned Soleimani Constellation - Caspian News

... satellite constellation that may be launched in March. T. ... Iranian officials also presented images captured by the recently launched Paya satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Data Center Space Race Heats Up As Startup Requests 88,000 Satellites | PCMag

... satellites—shortly after SpaceX filed plans to launch up to one million satellites. ... Real or AI? 7 Clues to Spot Fake Images ...

Feb 5,2026
Ahead of US Iran nuclear talks satellite images reveal build up of US fighter jets and missile ...

The round of negotiations between the two countries will be the first since their talks in mid-2025, which were cancelled after Israel launched a ...

Feb 5,2026
Al-Qaeda Urges Attacks on U.S. Aircraft Carrier “USS Abraham Lincoln” - Yemen Online

Defense analysts and satellite imagery reviewed by The Washington Post indicate that eight additional U.S. warships are present in the area ...

Feb 5,2026
Beijing tightens information monopoly in Tibet with massive satellite TV upgrade

Launched China's first prefecture-level HD channel in December 2024 to be covered by live satellite broadcast. The city replaced high-definition ...

Feb 5,2026
Starlink Might Launch Its Own Smartphone - Here's What We Know - BGR

... satellite internet dish providing Tarcisio Schnaider/Getty Images. After conquering space, highways, satellite internet, and social media, Elon ...

Feb 5,2026
Cruz's satellite licensing bill faces longer delay - Roll Call

... satellites. SpaceX applied last month to launch a constellation of up to 1 million “orbital data centers.” Separately, Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nev ...

Feb 5,2026
AT&T taps Amazon for cloud and satellite upgrades - Telecoms

Last month AWS commercially launched its European Sovereign Cloud, offering the latest AI related gubbins like SageMaker and Bedrock, to compute and ...

Feb 5,2026
AST SpaceMobile Enters Defense Work As BlueBird 7 Launch Nears - Yahoo Finance

The company is preparing for the imminent launch of its BlueBird 7 satellite, part of its direct to device cellular broadband constellation. These ...

Feb 5,2026
SpaceX Is Using Starlink To Make Low Earth Orbit Safer For Everyone - BGR

... satellites we use for communication and other information gathering. It gets even worse year after year with more launches and more debris left behind ...

Feb 5,2026
Orbital AI Data Centers Prepare for Launch - Neuberger Berman

Other launch specialists are more vertically integrated: Rocket Lab, for one, designs and produces satellites ... images with single-meter resolution.

Feb 5,2026
Satellite pics reveal US military buildup near Iran after Ayatollah warning - The US Sun

Satellite imagery shows at least a dozen F-15E attack planes at ... The Shahed-139 unmanned craft taken out by a fighter launched from the ...

Feb 5,2026
Iran's newly unveiled ground stations to boost satellite control, speed up image reception

... launch of the Salmas and Chenaran ground stations has enabled more precise control of Iranian satellites and faster reception of satellite imagery.

Feb 5,2026
A potential Starlink competitor just got FCC clearance to launch 4,000 satellites - Engadget

Logos Space Services says it hopes to launch its first satellite by 2027. Andre Revilla. Contributing Reporter. Thu, February 5, ...

Feb 5,2026
After $655 Million Exit, Silo AI Founder Leads Quantum Startup Launch

European AI and quantum entrepreneurs, led by Peter Sarlin after the $655 million sale of Silo AI, have launched Qutwo ... Satellite Imagery. May 24, ...

Feb 5,2026
BBC Verify Live: Specialist US military jet latest to be tracked in Middle East as build-up continues

The team has analysed satellite imagery showing that a dozen F-15 ... The train attack was part of a wave of more than 180 drones and missiles launched ...

Feb 5,2026
Jupiter smaller than science dictated, NASA, Weizmann find | The Jerusalem Post

Elbit Systems' JUPITER space camera launches ...

Feb 5,2026
Israeli-founded 'SpaceX of weather' raises $175m to send next-gen satellites into orbit

... satellite constellation, having launched 13 satellites into space. Its technology, used by NASA and the US Air Force, employs AI to process satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Russia Expands Shahed Drone Sites in Smolensk and Rostov Regions

According to satellite imagery from January 3, Russia is actively expanding a launch site for Shahed attack drones at Shatalovo Airfield in the ...

Feb 5,2026
Claas invests in AI-based field analysis - Future Farming

... images into practical crop insights ... New Claas Cemis 700 terminal for Isobus applications · Farming by Satellite launches ideas competition. 20-04- ...

Feb 5,2026
EO-MSI
Satellite Data Services Market to Reach USD 38.6 Billion by 2032, says Stratview Research

Leading companies include Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, Planet Labs PBC, ICEYE, Trimble Inc, and Satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Hensoldt completes A400M drop trials of HADIS unmanned carrier, advancing plans for full ...

Airbus to launch first Pléiades Neo Next satellite in 2028, strengthening Earth observation and geospatial services · Lockheed Martin has been awarded ...

Feb 5,2026
Global Constellation boards Canadian animation 'Dragoons' for international sales, releases first look

... neo-noir · Supporting Role. 'Supporting Role' review: Georgian star Dato ... Global Constellation boards Canadian animation 'Dragoons' for international ...

Feb 5,2026
Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Cente - ASDNews

... Satellite Imagery. Jan 29, 2026 · The 1st Airbus Pleiades Neo Next Satellite Will Be Launched Early 2028. Jan 27, 2026 · NGC Boosters Ready to Launch ...

Feb 5,2026
On This Date: Second 'Snowmageddon' Snowstorm Buried Mid-Atlantic | Weather.com

Left: A high-resolution visible satellite image shows the extensive snow cover over the mid-Atlantic on Feb. ... (Left: NASA Worldview; Right: Alex Wong ...

Feb 5,2026
Assessing Constellation Software's Valuation After AI Jitters And Leadership Change - Simply Wall St

Why Constellation Software is Back in Focus Constellation Software (TSX ... NEO logo · OOO97 on Neo Performance Materials · about 1 month ago ...

Feb 5,2026
BlackSky to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results Conference Call - Morningstar

BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) will host a live webcast and ... satellite constellation. With BlackSky, customers can see, understand ...

Feb 5,2026
AI to track icebergs adrift at sea in boon for science - Space Daily

Using satellite images, the tool captures the distinct shape of ... BlackSky expands Gen 3 Assured deals with new defense customer · Raytheon ...

Feb 5,2026
BlackSky stock gets Buy rating reiteration from Canaccord on Gen-3 contract win

Jefferies also set a price target of $23.00, noting the expected benefits from a refreshed satellite constellation by the end of 2026. This article ...

Feb 5,2026
BlackSky to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results Conference Call - Markets data

HERNDON, Va. --(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2026-- BlackSky Technology Inc . (NYSE: BKSY) will host a live webcast and ...

Feb 5,2026
BlackSky to Host Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2025 Results Conference Call

HERNDON, Va., February 05, 2026--BlackSky Technology Inc. (NYSE: BKSY) will host a live webcast and conference call to discuss fourth quarter and ...

Feb 5,2026
Vantor wins $5.3 million NGA contract to spot terrain changes using commercial satellite data

Based in Westminster, Colorado, Vantor, formerly known as Maxar Intelligence, operates a constellation of high-resolution imaging satellites and ...

Feb 5,2026
WEST 2026: Orbit to showcase OceanTRx 4 MIL-GRADE product delivering very resilient ...

OceanTRx 4 MIL is a field-proven, military-grade SATCOM platform engineered to ensure communications continuity when satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Israeli forces bulldozed part of war cemetery in Gaza containing Allied graves, satellite images show

... satellite imagery and witness testimony. Satellite images of the ... A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “We are saddened to ...

Feb 5,2026
BlackSky Awarded Gen-3 assured services contracts totalling seven figures with new ...

BlackSky Technology Inc. was awarded multiple Gen-3 Assured services contracts totaling seven figures with a new international defense customer ...

Feb 5,2026
Israeli forces bulldozed part of war cemetery in Gaza containing Allied graves, satellite images show

A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “We are saddened to hear that graves of British and Allied personnel who bravely served in the ...

Feb 5,2026
The Neo-Muscovite Dependency – Sovereign Security & Financial Forensics 2026 - Debug

C (Fairly Reliable): OSINT tracking of the Russian Shadow Fleet via satellite imagery and maritime transponder data. Information Credibility (1-6):. 1 ...

Feb 5,2026
Revealed: Israel bulldozed part of Gaza war cemetery containing allied graves - The Guardian

Satellite images and witness testimony show destruction as IDF ... A spokesperson for the Royal British Legion said: “We are saddened to ...

Feb 5,2026
SAR
Sky Perfect JSat: Revenue & oper income up for 9M to Dec 31, Japan MoD ISR constellation ...

Iceye: No IPO for now; $300M+ in 2025 rev, $3B valuation & expanding production; asks EU to go faster on secure comms · German military: We're ...

Feb 5,2026
Isro preps for Gisat-1A launch, sat expected to reach spaceport soon - The Times of India

... Satellite (Gisat-1) or EOS-03, Isro is geared up to launch Gisat-1A or EOS-05, as its replacement. Tired of too many ads?go ad free now. Gisat ...

Feb 5,2026
Canon Announces the Canon RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM

Canon's newest L-series prime is here. The RF 14mm f/1.4L VCM delivers professional video features and incredible low-light performance in a ...

Feb 5,2026
Germany Eyes Long-Term Plan for Military Space Capabilities - The Defense Post

... satellite constellation. The program, managed by the Rheinmetall ICEYE Space Solutions joint venture, is scheduled to run through 2030, with ...

Feb 5,2026
Gilat Receives Over $10 Million Order to Support LEO Constel - ASDNews

... Satellite Networks © Gilat Satellite Networks ©. Gilat Satellite ... PAZ-2 Satellite Imagery. Jan 29, 2026 ...

Feb 5,2026
A federated SAR satellite partnership offers satellite intelligence that can increase on ... - LinkedIn

View organization page for ICEYE · ICEYE. 157,315 followers. 1h. Report this post; Close menu. A federated SAR satellite partnership offers satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Three Sisters, One Tragic Digital Trap | Zee News - India.Com

PSLV-EOS-N1Mission Anomaly What the Earth Observation Satellite Was.. Photo Thumbnail Play icon.

Feb 5,2026
Short seller claims IonQ lost 'vital' US government contracts | Investorsobserver

... Capella, a satellite imagery company, Vector Atomics, an atomic clock maker, and its proposed acquisition of SkyWater Technology, the largest U.S. ...

Feb 5,2026
Satellite Data Services Market to Reach USD 38.6 Billion by 2032, says Stratview Research

Leading companies include Airbus, Maxar Technologies, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris Technologies, Planet Labs PBC, ICEYE, Trimble Inc, and Satellite ...

Feb 5,2026
Days after NSA's visit to Isro centre, space minister rules out sabotage in PSLV failures

Isro faced a huge setback on Jan 12 after its workhorse launch vehicle PSLV-C62, carrying surveillance satellite EOS-N1 and 15 co-passenger ...

Feb 5,2026
ISRO Issues Radio Blackout Alert as Powerful Solar Flares Threaten India & Disrupt Satellite ...

... satellite provides ISRO with real-time information regarding solar ... Who is Matteo Paz? The Teen Who Mapped 1.5 Million Changing Objects in ...

Feb 5,2026
Milrem Robotics and EOS Defence Systems Sign Teaming Agreeme - ASDNews

... Satellite Service Portfolio for Government UAV Operations. Feb 2, 2026 · Draganfly Selected to Provide Draganfly Flex FPV Drones and Training to U.S. ...

Feb 5,2026
PSLV to be reviewed by third party outside Isro, could launch by June - India Today

... EOS-09 Earth observation satellite meant for strategic governmental use. Similarly, the PSLV-C62 launch on January 12, 2026, carrying the EOS-N1 ...

Feb 5,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)