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
Tropical Cyclone 14S (Dudzai) / Tropical Cyclone 01W (Nokaen) / Invest 94P - Pacific

Animated enhanced infrared satellite imagery (eir) indicates tropical cyclone 14S (Dudzai) continuing its weakening phase,evidenced by an ...

Jan 17,2026
Egypt adopts satellite-based system to monitor aquatic weeds in irrigational waterways nationwide

The meeting also discussed ways to utilize free satellite imagery to classify aquatic weeds, using platforms such as Digital Earth Africa and Google ...

Jan 17,2026
Russia seeks to disconnect Ukraine's nuclear power plants, HUR says, risking potential meltdown

... intelligence (HUR) warned on Jan. 17. Ukrainians ... A satellite image showing damage to the Atlant Aero factory in Taganrog, Russia, after ...

Jan 17,2026
AI hits the streets: Los Fresnos turns to technology to address speeding | KVEO-TV

The city's new system, provided by tech company Urban SDK, uses artificial intelligence to analyze traffic flow using satellite imagery, anonymized ...

Jan 17,2026
Scientists Are Tracking Mysterious Blackouts Beneath the Sea - SciTechDaily

Researchers also examined 21 years of seafloor light estimates derived from satellite imagery along New Zealand's East Cape. Across these regions ...

Jan 17,2026
Protesters urge Asante to uphold 2013 Ashland hospital deal | Jefferson Public Radio

Ashland Community Hospital will transition from a general hospital to a satellite campus this spring.

Jan 17,2026
African Union (AU) Commission Chairperson Congratulates Algeria on Successful Launch ...

... satellite, marking a significant advance in Africa's space and geospatial capabilities. « This achievement underscores Algeria's leadership in ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellite imagery shows two UAE-linked cargo aircraft at Harar Meda Air Base in ...

Rich Tedd ✈️ (@AfriMEOSINT). 27 likes. Satellite imagery shows two UAE-linked cargo aircraft at Harar Meda Air Base in Ethiopia this ...

Jan 17,2026
Thousands of Chinese Fishing Boats Quietly Form Vast Sea Barriers - The New York Times

Note: Image was captured around 11 a.m. on Jan. 10 local time. Some ships may not be Chinese fishing vessels. Source: Satellite image by Planet Labs.

Jan 17,2026
RED TIDE 2026 JANUARY 16 - Cedar Key News

Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in three samples from Northwest Florida. We continue to use satellite imagery (USF and NOAA ...

Jan 17,2026
How a uranium supply coveted by Russia ended up in limbo in Niger - Le Monde

The 34 trucks – each carrying two containers – formed a visible row in satellite imagery. Their cargo? Roughly 1,000 metric tons of "yellowcake ...

Jan 17,2026
Algeria boosts Earth observation capacity with launch of Alsat-3A satellite - Ecofin Agency

Alsat-3A was launched into orbit from China as Algeria's third Earth observation satellite The satellite provides high-resolution imagery to ...

Jan 17,2026
Israel's Defense Minister Commends IDF Gaza Demolitions During Cease-fire - Haaretz

"The New York Times claimed this week that satellite imagery shows Israel is still destroying Gaza," Katz said in a post on X, referencing an ...

Jan 17,2026
Musk's Starlink faces high-profile security test in Iran crackdown - The Japan Times

SpaceX, which owns Starlink, made the satellite service free for Iranians this week, placing Musk's space company at the center of another ...

Jan 17,2026
Jan 17: Pumas preying on penguins in Patagonia, and more... | CBC Radio

Now, for the first time, scientists have combined satellite imagery and mathematical modelling to map the continent beneath that ice in unprecedented ...

Jan 17,2026
ICE says a Cuban man died during a suicide attempt. A witness says a guard fatally choked him

FILE - This satellite image shows construction of large white tents for a new immigrant detention center at Fort Bliss, an Army base outside El Paso.

Jan 17,2026
Satellites Capture the Hidden World Beneath Antarctica's Ice - Gizmodo

For the recent study, scientists used high-resolution satellite data of the ice surface and combined it with the mathematics of how Antarctica's ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellites and AI revolutionize fire detection; spotting blazes before 911 calls - News9.com

When a fire ignites, the heat stands out in satellite imagery. Artificial Intelligence (AI) analyzes this data, flagging potential fires faster than ...

Jan 17,2026
SANSA leverages Earth Observation Satellite imagery to support flood response in Limpopo ...

SANSA leverages Earth Observation Satellite imagery to support flood response in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces ... Climate-related extreme rainfall ...

Jan 17,2026
UnrealCraft Infinite - Real World Elevation Data w/ Satellite Imagery - YouTube

... Satellite Imagery using open APIs. APIs used : - Elevation Data : https://api.open-elevation.com/api/v1/lookup - Satellite Imagery : https://gibs ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellite Launches
SpaceX launches intelligence satellites for US spy agency [VIDEO] - TVP World

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base late on Friday, carrying an undisclosed number of intelligence-gathering ...

Jan 17,2026
Finnish Defence Forces progress SAR satellite programme with second satellite launch

... imaging and monitoring of any location regardless of weather or lighting conditions. The data produced by the SAR satellites can also support the ...

Jan 17,2026
Startup company wants to light up the night skies with reflected sunlight - Earth.com

His research focuses on how large satellite constellations can streak images and raise background glare for telescopes. Sky mirrors reflect ...

Jan 17,2026
Reviewing The Chinese Navy In 2025 – Part II: Submarines, Logistics, R&D - Naval News

Satellite imagery remains incomplete in the public realm, possibly missing a number of launches. On the other hand, not every observed activity at ...

Jan 17,2026
Egypt adopts satellite-based system to monitor aquatic weeds in irrigational waterways nationwide

CAIRO – 17 January 2026: Egypt has launched a satellite-based system ... The meeting also discussed ways to utilize free satellite imagery to ...

Jan 17,2026
Kenya launches Project Centinela to protect critically endangered Mountain Bongo

Through the initiative, KSA will collaborate closely with Planet to leverage high-resolution satellite imagery for informed conservation planning, ...

Jan 17,2026
NASA rolls Artemis 2 rocket to the pad ahead of historic moon launch | Space

... Launches & Spacecraft · Private spaceflight · Human spaceflight ... Satellites · Astronomy · Solar System · The Sun · Asteroids · Mars · Comets ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX set to launch NROL-105 mission Friday night from Vandenberg; sonic boom expected

... Mother of Elon Musk's child sues his AI ... satellites to low-Earth orbit as part of the agency's ongoing effort to ...

Jan 17,2026
Artemis 2 rocket rollout latest news: NASA begins rollout for giant moon rocket - Space

... Satellites · Astronomy · Solar System · The Sun · Asteroids · Mars · Comets ... Launch System rocket, mobile launch platform and Orion spacecraft to the ...

Jan 17,2026
Algeria boosts Earth observation capacity with launch of Alsat-3A satellite - Ecofin Agency

Alsat-3A was launched into orbit from China as Algeria's third Earth observation satellite The satellite provides high-resolution imagery to ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellite images show how fire-besieged towns looked before and after deadly Victorian blazes

Satellite images of bushfire-ravaged towns have captured the ... Federer and Barty unite as Aussie Open launches new tradition. 2 hours ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX weekend rocket launch from Florida. Best places to watch

The rocket will carry 29 Starlink internet satellites into low-Earth orbit. Depending on weather, the nighttime launch may be visible as far south as ...

Jan 17,2026
India's Orbital 'Jetpacks': Aule Space's $2M Bet To Rescue Dying Satellites

That long-standing practice has created a growing problem in geostationary orbit, where replacement launches are expensive, and downtime can cost ...

Jan 17,2026
NRO, SpaceX launch reconnaissance satellites from Vandenberg - Spaceflight Now

Relive the experience with imagery from Monday night's blazing blastoff of a Falcon 9 rocket and its historic, dramatic landing at Cape Canaveral.

Jan 17,2026
50000 clandestine Starlink terminals are keeping Iranians in touch with the rest of the world - Vox

Satellite imagery is how we know what is happening in conflict zones like Ukraine and Sudan. If satellites are in jeopardy, so is the truth itself.

Jan 17,2026
Watch NASA roll huge Artemis 2 moon rocket out to the launch pad on Jan. 17 | Space

... launches the NROL-145 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Watch SpaceX launch new batch of US spy satellites tonight · a rocket stands upright ...

Jan 17,2026
Kenya Space Agency launches satellite-backed project to save Mountain Bongo

In partnership with Planet, a global provider of high-resolution satellite imagery, Project Centinela integrates Earth observation data with on-the- ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launch from Vandenberg, California Space Force Base | Jan 16

Starlink is "the world's first and largest satellite constellation using a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet capable of supporting ...

Jan 17,2026
Why this famous iceberg turned blue and what it tells us about melting ice - UPI.com

The depth and clarity enhance the blue coloration, making it especially vivid in satellite imagery. ... SpaceX launches Twilight rideshare with NASA, 3D ...

Jan 17,2026
SpaceX Rocket Wows While Delivering Spy Satellites into Orbit | Local News | Noozhawk

At the request of NRO, the launch livestream ended after the first-stage booster's landing and didn't include images of the second stage or payload.

Jan 17,2026
EO-MSI
Q&A: How Social Media Is Channeling Popular Discontent in Iran - EA WorldView

Join the EA WorldView Mailing List ... Subscribe to our email list to receive a weekly selection of stories published by EA WorldView during the ...

Jan 17,2026
Why Satellogic (SATL) Is Up 18.3% After New European Deals Highlight Its Vertically ...

We'll now explore how this emphasis on rapid, vertically integrated satellite delivery shapes Satellogic's broader investment narrative. AI is ...

Jan 17,2026
Would You Still Hold Constellation Energy Stock If It Fell Another 30%? - Trefis

Constellation Energy (CEG) stock is down 15.8% in 21 trading days ... ISI Upgrade · Stocks Trading At 52-Week Low · S&P 500 Stocks Trading At 52 ...

Jan 17,2026
Trump's worldview and a rapidly changing global order - Compass Points | PBS News

Compass Points moderator Nick Schifrin discusses Trump's worldview and the rapidly changing global order with Victoria Coates, Kori Schake and ...

Jan 17,2026
American Legion teaches fourth-graders about the value of their freedoms - Pine Bush ...

American Legion teaches fourth-graders about the value of their freedoms ... Satellite Clinics · Tax Inquiries · Volunteering. Pine Bush Central ...

Jan 17,2026
Wall Street Analysts Are Bullish on Top Consumer Goods Picks - The Globe and Mail

Constellation Brands (STZ). In a report released today, Robert Ottenstein from Evercore ISI maintained a Buy rating on Constellation Brands, with a ...

Jan 17,2026
Satellogic Highlights Constellation-as-a-Service Model for Earth Observation Missions - SatNow

Satellogic, a provider of Earth observation solutions, highlights the Constellation-as-a-Service (CaaS) offering, an operational model designed to ...

Jan 17,2026
HSI
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)