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
Assessing Planet Labs (PL) Valuation After Swedish Armed Forces Contract And Satellite ...

Planet Labs PBC (PL) just signed a multi year, low 9 figure agreement with the Swedish Armed Forces, its third satellite services contract in a ...

Jan 24,2026
Satellite image from NOAA shows winter storm from space. FIRST WARNING WEATHER ...

Satellite image from NOAA shows winter storm from space. FIRST WARNING WEATHER: https://bit.ly/3YZQuRv.

Jan 24,2026
T-Mobile Activates Free Cellular Starlink in the US As Winter Storm Rolls In | PCMag

T-Mobile's T-Satellite usually costs extra, but the carrier is making satellite ... Intelligence Actually Smart? I Tested Every Feature to Find ...

Jan 24,2026
Planet Labs' Swedish Deal Tests Sovereign Satellite Model And Owl Ambitions

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE:PL) has signed a multi-year satellite and data services contract with the Swedish Armed Forces ... imagery. Planet Labs ...

Jan 24,2026
How Drones Can Affect Your Insurance Coverage - Kiplinger

How insurers are using aerial imagery · Drones: Short-range, high-resolution images often used after claims or during renewals · Satellite images: Broad ...

Jan 24,2026
Take a look at this: Winter storm seen from space - YouTube

A satellite image shows the winter storm's vast coverage, with 190 million under winter alerts as snow, ice, and freezing rain impact the region.

Jan 24,2026
Satellite Sun Space Theme Elements This Stock Illustration 2687647399 - Shutterstock

Satellite and sun. Space theme. The elements of this image furnished by NASA. Important information. Upload date: October 8, 2025.

Jan 24,2026
Satellite Based Agricultural Decision Support Platform | PDF - Scribd

... software and satellite imagery services to create a comprehensive solution for better decision-making in agriculture.

Jan 24,2026
Federal officers shoot, kill man Saturday in Minneapolis during immigration crackdown

7, 2025, satellite image shows construction of large white. ICE says an immigrant who died in a sprawling Texas detention facility killed himself. A ...

Jan 24,2026
This handout satellite image taken by 2026 Planet Labs PBC on January 12, 2026 ... - Channels TV

A huge uranium shipment that left northern Niger in late November has been stuck for weeks at Niamey airport. This handout satellite image taken by ...

Jan 24,2026
Airbus faces union pushback over satellite business consolidation plans - Varindia

banner1. Logo Blinking Image ... How do Airbus employees feel about the companys plans to consolidate its satellite business, and what specific concerns ...

Jan 24,2026
Postmortem: Our first VLEO satellite mission (with imagery and flight data) | Hacker News

Founder/CEO of Albedo here. We published a detailed write-up of our first VLEO satellite mission (Clarity-1) — including imagery, what worked, ...

Jan 24,2026
Current GOES-West satellite imagery shows the fog/stratus layer retreating southward ... - Facebook

Current GOES-West satellite imagery shows the fog/stratus layer retreating southward thanks to the north to east winds that are being observed ...

Jan 24,2026
Cool temperatures through next weekend - KSBW

... SATELLITE IMAGERY SHOW WHERE THE CLOUDS ARE AND IF ANY RAIN IS HAPPENING IN THE STATE CURRENTLY HERE IS A LOOK AT STATE TEMPERATURES. HERE IS A ...

Jan 24,2026
Infrared satellite imagery showed the cold mass of air moving into the northern U.S. on ... - Facebook

Infrared satellite imagery showed the cold mass of air moving into the northern U.S. on January 22-23. Much of the country was braced for a severe ...

Jan 24,2026
Tropical Cyclone 17S (Luana) / Invest 92P - Pacific Disaster Center

Animated multi-spectral satellite imagery depicts an elongated and partially exposed low level circulation center (llcc) that has stalled over the ...

Jan 24,2026
Infrared satellite imagery showed the cold mass of air moving into the northern US on January 22-23.

77 likes, 5 comments - cbsnews on January 24, 2026: "Infrared satellite imagery showed the cold mass of air moving into the northern U.S. on ...

Jan 24,2026
'Crippling' winter storm carries ice, snow. See latest forecast maps. - USA Today

This Weather Service Severity Index, updated on the evening of Jan. 23, illustrates. Winter storm's approach on satellite. An image from NOAA's GOES ...

Jan 24,2026
Visual localization from satellite imagery as a GNSS fallback for drones - Reddit

Many approaches exist for GNSS-denied navigation (VIO, VPR, sensor fusion, etc.). This work focuses on satellite-based image matching and is meant to ...

Jan 24,2026
Visual localization from satellite imagery as a GNSS fallback for drones - Reddit

As you mentioned, challenges such as initial position uncertainty, temporal differences between satellite imagery and onboard images, and feature-poor ...

Jan 24,2026
Satellite Launches
Planet Labs' Swedish Deal Tests Sovereign Satellite Model And Owl Ambitions

... imagery. Planet Labs PBC, trading at $26.94, has attracted ... Engages in the design, construction, and launch constellations of satellites ...

Jan 24,2026
Space Brief 24 Jan 2026 - KeepTrack

... satellite collision avoidance. SpaceX Falcon 9 Block ... images release, and SpaceX missions covering satellite launches and astronaut reentries.

Jan 24,2026
U.S. Air Force: Dragon Shield Exercise tests U-2 intelligence aircraft launch readiness in ...

It delivers critical imagery and signals intelligence during peacetime, low-intensity conflict, and large-scale hostilities, supporting commanders ...

Jan 24,2026
As Artemis launch nears, astrophilately gains interest | Chronicle Telegram The field can ...

The field can include mail postmarked on launch dates of crewed missions, satellites and interplanetary flights; splashdowns; ...

Jan 24,2026
Scientists Astonished by Glimpse of Huge, Ancient Ocean on Mars - Futurism

While examining the satellite imagery, the team concluded that the ... Launch With Astronauts Aboard. By Victor Tangermann · There's Reportedly ...

Jan 24,2026
Spacecoin launches SPACE token just days after partnering with Trump family-linked DeFi project

The project aims to create a decentralized satellite internet network, with initial satellites CTC-0 and CTC-1 already demonstrating ...

Jan 24,2026
RFA Awarded ESA Flight Ticket Initiative Launch Contracts - European Spaceflight

The first of the two missions is a technology demonstrator satellite called Lurbat, carrying a wide range of technology demonstrations spanning ...

Jan 24,2026
Why India Is Investing ₹26000 Crore in 52 Military Surveillance Satellites, Night Vision and ...

Learn about India's ₹26000 crore satellite armada programme to launch 52 advanced spy satellites with night vision by 2029 ... satellite imagery.

Jan 24,2026
As Satellites Flood Earth's Orbit, Disaster Is Only Ever Days Away - SlashGear

3dsculptor/Getty Images ... While it is remarkable that humans have so much floating around in Earth's orbit, notably thousands of satellites launched ...

Jan 24,2026
Airbus faces union pushback over satellite business consolidation plans - Varindia

Airbus Defence & Space is encountering growing resistance from French labour unions over plans to consolidate its Airbus Constellations Satellites ...

Jan 24,2026
Is there a rocket launch today? How to watch SpaceX liftoff from California - Visalia Times-Delta

A Falcon 9 rocket will carry 25 of the company's Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. · This mission marks the fifth launch from the West ...

Jan 24,2026
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Launches Satellite Program as Space Data Centers Pick Up Steam

These facilities, which store and process massive volumes of text, images and other data, are straining the world's power grids as A.I. usage explodes ...

Jan 24,2026
GPS III-9 Mission - SpaceX

SpaceX designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft. The company was founded in 2002 to revolutionize space technology, ...

Jan 24,2026
Rocket Lab Kicks Off 2026 With Successful Launch Of Open Cosmos Satellites

The company aims to build a telecommunication and Earth observation constellation that delivers high-resolution imagery and analytics tools across ...

Jan 24,2026
Noida Techie Death: Cops Launch Technical Probe, Phone and Dashcam Under Forensic Scan

BIG UPDATE | Noida Techie Death — The police have launched ... Satellite Images Show The Deadly Noida Lake That Never Was | Noida Engineer Death.

Jan 24,2026
Earthquake sensors can track space junk that crashes back to Earth

rows of starlink satellites in the lower left portion of the image with Earth in the ... "They are able to pick up the launch of the Starship rockets [ ...

Jan 24,2026
AST SpaceMobile to launch BlueBird 7 in February - RCR Wireless News

Bigger and better: The new generation of BlueBird satellites are approximately 2,400 square feet in size, and delivers up to 120 Mbps speed. A heavy ...

Jan 24,2026
Musk Vs. Bezos: Starlink's Rival Will Launch Over 5000 Satellites Next Year - SlashGear

The trail of a rocket launching up into the night sky. Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo/Getty Images. Blue Origin, the private aerospace company owned ...

Jan 24,2026
White House defends AI-manipulated image showing arrested woman crying - BBC News

... launched military action in Afghanistan. ... We identified these ships using MarineTraffic then verified some of their movements with satellite imagery ...

Jan 24,2026
Ukraine war latest: Peace talks resume after Zelenskyy dismisses 'nonsense' Russian idea

Russia has launched a "massive attack" on Ukraine's two largest cities. Kyiv's foreign minister has condemned Vladimir Putin's "cynical" violence ...

Jan 24,2026
SAR
ISRO's 2026 roadmap: More satellites, space station, Moon mission - The Morning Voice

... satellite missions , even as the space agency continues detailed ... EOS-09 satellite. ISRO had constituted a failure analysis committee ...

Jan 24,2026
WHAT'S UP IN THE SKY: When you HiWish upon the stars - Ellensburg Daily Record

Climbing from Sirius through the “horns” of Taurus to the bright star Capella ... constellation Gemini. The two brightest stars in the constellation are ...

Jan 24,2026
ISRO planning multiple satellite launches in 2026, says Chairman Narayanan

ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced that the space agency is planning multiple satellite launches for 2026 and is working on establishing an ...

Jan 24,2026
'Will not have any impact': ISRO chief denies possibilities in Gaganyaan mission delay after ...

The investigation is ongoing," V Narayanan told ANI. On January 12, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C62 mission carrying the 'Anvesha'/EOS- ...

Jan 24,2026
"Will not have any impact": ISRO chief denies possibilities in Gaganyaan mission delay after ...

On January 12, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV)-C62 mission carrying the 'Anvesha'/EOS-N1 satellite and 15 co-passenger satellites ...

Jan 24,2026
US presses Bolivia to expel suspected Iranian spies, harden approach to militant groups, sources say

... Paz from Tehran. Now, however, U.S. officials believe they have a ... satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters and resident testimony. In areas ...

Jan 24,2026
Medio británico afirma que Argentina va a usar el Consejo de Paz de Trump para ...

En medio del furor que Donald Trump generó en el Foro Económico Mundial de Davos, con la creación de su “Consejo de paz” para acabar con la guerra ...

Jan 24,2026
বলিভিয়ার লা পাজে ৪০ দিনের কার্নিভাল শুরু! | La Paz Festival Bolivia | Independent TV

বলিভিয়ার লা পাজে ৪০ দিনের কার্নিভাল শুরু! | La Paz Festival Bolivia | Independent TV. Like. Dislike. 0. Share. Video unavailable. This content isn't available.

Jan 24,2026
JNCASR partners with industry to develop advanced thermal materials for aviation batteries

ISRO's PSLV-C62 makes 1st launch of 2026 with EOS-N1 satellite · Key Benefits of Facebook for Your Business · Nicegram vs. Telegram: Which One Offers ...

Jan 24,2026
Davos 2026: why space is becoming a mainstream asset class - FTAdviser

This starts at Davos. Mark Boggett is chief executive of Seraphim Space, and Steve Young is president of satellite missions at ICEYE. Related ...

Jan 24,2026
HSI
Pixxel announce plan for satellite constellation | Space Tech | Hyper Spectral Imaging - YouTube

Pixxel announce plan for satellite constellation | Space Tech | Hyper Spectral Imaging. Like. Dislike. 0. Share. Video unavailable.

Jan 24,2026
ISRO planning multiple satellite launches in 2026, says Chairman Narayanan

... satellite launches for 2026 and is ... Pixxel-led group inks pact with INSPACe for commercial satellite constellation, first launches next year.

Jan 24,2026
'Will not have any impact': ISRO chief denies possibilities in Gaganyaan mission delay after ...

... satellite and 15 co-passenger ... Pixxel-led group inks pact with INSPACe for commercial satellite constellation, first launches next year.

Jan 24,2026
Daily Current Affairs Today 24 January 2026 for SSC And Railway Exams - Physics Wallah

... Pixxel's satellite plans. It also covers Spain joining the Indo ... Indian Space-Tech Startup 'Pixxel' Announces Satellite Constellation Plan.

Jan 24,2026
Current Affairs 24 January 2026 - AffairsCloud.com

Pixxel-led Consortium Signs Pact with IN-SPACe for EO Satellite Constellation In January 2026, the Allied Orbits consortium, led by Pixxel Space ...

Jan 24,2026
Space-Based Resources for Civil Science, Research, and Disaster Applications - YouTube

... satellite data from the U.S. intelligence community and Department of ... CSDA Program Vendor Focus: Pixxel. NASA Earth•207 views · 26:46 · Go to ...

Jan 24,2026
Trilegal, SAM act on Pixxel and IN-SPACe on India's first PPP contract to set-up Earth ...

The constellation will provide satellite imagery and analytics to commercial, government, and strategic customers. Online Bureau; ETLegalWorld.

Jan 24,2026
Pixxel-Led "Allied Orbits" to Build India's First Private - Startup Point

Pixxel-Led "Allied Orbits" to Build India's First Private National Satellite Constellation in Historic ₹1200 Crore PPPPixxel-Led "Allied.

Jan 24,2026
Pixxel Leads India's Landmark Private EO Satellite Push - Whalesbook

Pixxel-led consortium signs INR 1200+ crore PPP with IN-SPACe for India's first indigenous commercial Earth Observation satellite constellation, ...

Jan 24,2026
India Launches First Private Earth Observation Network: A Landmark ISRO-Pixxel Deal

... Pixxel. This 12-satellite constellation marks a historic shift in India's space journey, where private enterprises are now at the forefront of ...

Jan 24,2026
Pixxel Consortium Secures INR 1200 Crore Earth Observation Satellite PPP Project with IN-SPACe

Trilegal has advised Pixxel.Pixxel has led a consortium in securing the award to design, build, and operate India's first fully indigenous ...

Jan 24,2026
Science News | Mysterious Dorito Shaped Aircraft Spotted Over Area 51 Sparks Speculation

IN-SPACe Partners with Pixxel ... Pixxel, Dhruva Space and Others to Build India's 1st Private Earth Observation Constellation With Investment Exceeding ...

Jan 24,2026
Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. $BR Shares Bought by Northstar Asset Management Inc.

Northstar Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Broadridge Financial ... satellite networks to data, defense, and in-space infrastructure.

Jan 24,2026
Verification and Validation Engineer for Satellite Avionics at Pixxel - India - Jaabz

Pixxels constellation is designed to provide global coverage every 24 hours and help detect, monitor, and predict global phenomena across agriculture, ...

Jan 24,2026
Trilegal advises Pixxel on ₹1,200 crore+ PPP Project with IN-SPACe to build Indian Earth ...

The project plans to build a constellation of 12 earth observation satellites over the course of the next 5 years. Signatories at the PPP project ...

Jan 24,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)