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
OQ Technology Links up with UK IoT Company Eseye - Via Satellite

Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access ... satellite constellation with Eseye's AnyNet Connectivity Hub ...

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine Expands SAR Collaboration With Iceye - Via Satellite

Finnish satellite imagery provider Iceye has expanded its work with a customer in the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to ensure Ukraine's armed ...

Jan 20,2026
Asia-Pacific Operator Signs $11M Order for Gilat SkyEdge Platform - Via Satellite

An unnamed satellite operator in the Asia Pacific region has contracted Gilat Satellite Networks for $11 million for its SkyEdge platform.

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky Reports Gen-3 Pilot Customers Signing Renewal Deals - Via Satellite

BlackSky reports it has secured multiple expansion contracts for its Gen-3 satellite program from customers in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Jan 20,2026
File:2026 JTWC WTXS21 IR satellite imagery.98S.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

Import JTWC tropical cyclone IR satellite imagery of Southern Hemisphere tropical cyclone WTXS21. (2026-01-20 07:30 UTC). You cannot overwrite this ...

Jan 20,2026
America's adventurism is unsettling China - The Economist

... satellite stations, billions of dollars in trade (and a big spy base ... satellite imagery to target American warships and international vessels.

Jan 20,2026
'Severe' geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible in New York City, Tri-State

Geomagnetic storms are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. A G3 storm could require voltage corrections on power systems and cause intermittent satellite ...

Jan 20,2026
BirdsEyeView Secures Seven-Figure Funding - The SaaS News

BirdsEyeView, a London, UK-based insurtech company that uses high-resolution satellite imagery and AI, has secured a seven-figure investment.

Jan 20,2026
Chile's wildfire crisis was fueled by record heat - Earth.com

Today's Image of the Day from the European Space Agency captures a ... The satellite view freezes a moment in time. What it captures is only ...

Jan 20,2026
SkyFi Raises $12.7M to Build the 'Getty Images' of Satellite Intelligence - Orbital Today

SkyFi has raised $12.7M to transform satellite imagery into fast, actionable insights for defence, finance and climate-focused users.

Jan 20,2026
Machine learning models for crude protein prediction in Tamani grass pastures - Nature

... satellite imagery. Grass Forage Sci. 76, 340–352 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1111/gfs.12517 · Google Scholar. Balseca, D. G. et al. Nutritional value ...

Jan 20,2026
Remembering Dr. Gladys West: The Mathematical Foundation of Modern Geospatial Technology

When Dr. West joined the Naval Proving Ground in Dahlgren, Virginia in 1956 as a mathematician and computer programmer, satellite geodesy was in its ...

Jan 20,2026
Indonesia sues 6 companies over alleged links to deadly floods & landslides

Satellite imagery of Martabe gold mine concession before and after Cyclone Senyar hit North Sumatra's Batang Toru region, which shows landslides that ...

Jan 20,2026
ArkEdge Space signs international agreements to develop LEO PNT constellation

Tokyo-based satellite company ArkEdge Space Inc. has signed letters of intent with three international organizations to develop a PNT satellite ...

Jan 20,2026
11:45 AM SATELLITE IMAGE | While a few clouds remain, primarily to our south and across ...

... satellite image is snow cover! As cold as it is, it sure is nice to see the sun again. Wind chill values should be back above zero before sunset ...

Jan 20,2026
How US intervention could deepen Venezuela's environmental crisis - Mongabay

Under the Maduro government, environmental oversight of these developments has been virtually nonexistent. Satellite imagery has revealed illegal gold ...

Jan 20,2026
Coloma Gold Rush: 7 Impacts On California Gold Rush Trail - Farmonaut

Modern Mineral Discovery: Satellite Intelligence by Farmonaut. In the era following the Coloma Gold Rush, the greatest challenge for mining and ...

Jan 20,2026
Samara Closes $10M Seed Round - Payload Space

The satellite bus builder is expecting to validate its tech in orbit imminently ... There's no shortage of EO imagery these days, and SkyFi ...

Jan 20,2026
Late Holocene fast-ice dynamics around the Northern Victoria Land coast, Antarctica

... . In this respect, satellite image analysis is far more accurate. For instance, Fraser et al. (2020) used NASA Moderate Resolution Imaging ...

Jan 20,2026
Israel Is Preparing Land in Rafah to Corral Palestinians into an Area Under Full Military Occupation

The findings, which are based on an analysis of satellite imagery, suggest that Israel is beginning to build infrastructure which may be used to house ...

Jan 20,2026
Satellite Launches
OQ Technology Links up with UK IoT Company Eseye - Via Satellite

Launch French Launch Startup Wins Breakthrough Eutelsat Launch Deal ... Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite Imagery Access.

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine Expands SAR Collaboration With Iceye - Via Satellite

Latest News. Launch French Launch Startup Wins Breakthrough Eutelsat Launch Deal ... Finnish satellite imagery provider Iceye has expanded its work with ...

Jan 20,2026
Asia-Pacific Operator Signs $11M Order for Gilat SkyEdge Platform - Via Satellite

Latest News. Launch French Launch Startup Wins Breakthrough Eutelsat Launch Deal ... Finance SkyFi Raises $13M in Series A Round to Expand Satellite ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky Reports Gen-3 Pilot Customers Signing Renewal Deals - Via Satellite

... satellite launched in November. The Gen-3 satellites are designed to deliver 35-centimeter imagery with sub-hourly image collection speeds. The ...

Jan 20,2026
Israel can limit weakness by projecting power in space - The Jerusalem Post

Ofek 19 satellite being launched ... imagery, day and night. “Targets were built in real time, and ...

Jan 20,2026
I Am Not Immune To The Charms Of A Really Big Moon Rocket | Defector

Most satellites orbit at about 500 miles. It takes a lot of rocket to ... Artemis II will take 10 days from launch, to LEO, to lunar orbit, and back.

Jan 20,2026
NASA's SunRISE SmallSats Ace Tests, Moving Closer to Launch

The small satellites passed a crucible of tests, ending with a simulation of the intense vibrations of launch.

Jan 20,2026
Florida Starship progress with launch sites at KSC and Cape - NASASpaceFlight.com

... satellite imagery · 39AGigabaySLC-37StarbaseStarship. 0 FacebookTwitterPinterestEmail. previous article. Launch Preview: Falcon 9 set to launch two ...

Jan 20,2026
ESA - Spectrum's qualifying second launch - European Space Agency

... Images. About ESA. The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe's gateway to ... Satellite navigation. Satellite navigation Galileo EGNOS NAVISP ...

Jan 20,2026
Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites scheduled from Vandenberg SFB Wednesday evening

VANDENBERG SPACE FORCE BASE, Calif. (KEYT) – A Falcon 9 launch of 25 Starlink satellites destined for low-Earth orbit is scheduled from Vandenberg ...

Jan 20,2026
The Arctic Space Race Heats Up | January/February 2026

Military requirements clearly are driving satellite investments in the Arctic. Horner notes that imagery and sensing satellites deliver persistent ...

Jan 20,2026
Es'hailSat participates in ninth edition of DIMDEX in Doha - SatellitePro ME

MBRSC releases new MBZ-SAT images to mark launch anniversary. 5 days ago ... Arianespace to launch 32 Amazon LEO Satellites in February. 4 days ...

Jan 20,2026
Indonesia sues 6 companies over alleged links to deadly floods & landslides

... launched an investigation into 70 companies operating in the region to ... Satellite imagery and field surveys indicate that some of this ...

Jan 20,2026
Astrochemistry: The SPHEREx Satellite Mission - Astrobiology Web

SPHEREx, a NASA explorer satellite launched on 11 March 2025, is ... The initial data are rapidly released in the form of spectral images to the public.

Jan 20,2026
2XKO - Season 1 And Console Launch Trailer - GameSpot

Check the in-game store for more details. Song: "Satellites" by threesixnine ... Previous uploads. All images. No images found. Error occurred while ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky lands multiple Gen-3 expansion contracts as early access pilot programs pivot into ...

BlackSky is leveraging its full technology stack of vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, software and AI solutions to meet global customer ...

Jan 20,2026
Could Buying AST SpaceMobile Stock Today Set You Up for Life? | The Motley Fool

Image source: Getty Images. ... AST SpaceMobile will be in the news in the coming months as it continues to launch satellites and expand its network.

Jan 20,2026
Samara Closes $10M Seed Round - Payload Space

However, that legacy tech causes satellites to vibrate and jitter, risking blurry images and degrading accuracy. ... launch capabilities for Canada.

Jan 20,2026
'Severe' geomagnetic storm could make northern lights visible in southern US

Related Articles. MORE: NASA to launch 2 new satellites that will help forecast solar storms ... Jeremy Hogan/Getty Images. Under a G4 storm ...

Jan 20,2026
Blastoff! SpaceX launches 29 Starlink satellites from the Cape, nails landing - YouTube

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched 29 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit from Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on ...

Jan 20,2026
EO-MSI
Satellogic: Capital Raise De-Risks, But The Path To Profitability Remains Long

Satellogic Inc. remains a hold/speculative buy after a $90 million ... Communication satellite flies near the night. Alones Creative/iStock ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky Reports Gen-3 Pilot Customers Signing Renewal Deals - Via Satellite

BlackSky reports it has secured multiple expansion contracts for its Gen-3 satellite program from customers in the Americas, Asia, and Europe.

Jan 20,2026
Comtech receives space components award exceeding $5 million to support critical civil ...

Satellite Evolution Group; 6 hours ago; 1 min read. Comtech receives ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky Technology (NYSE:BKSY) Shares Gap Down - Time to Sell? - MarketBeat

Founded in 2014 as part of Spaceflight Industries, BlackSky has grown its satellite constellation and analytics capabilities to deliver satellite ...

Jan 20,2026
CSDA Releases New Data Acquisition Request System - NASA Earthdata

Worldview · Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS) ... The new system built into CSDA's Satellite Data Explorer helps users submit and ...

Jan 20,2026
Showcasing Es'hailSat's maritime and government & military satellite services

Es'hailSat – Qatar Satellite Company, is exhibiting at the 9th edition of the Doha International Maritime Defense Exhibition & Conference (DIMDEX) ...

Jan 20,2026
Satellite Attitude and Orbit Control System Market Report 2026 - Yahoo Finance UK

Communication satellite adoption and regional manufacturing resilience present growth prospects. Satellite ... Maxar Technologies Inc. The Lockheed ...

Jan 20,2026
Satellite Attitude and Orbit Control System Market Report - GlobeNewswire

Prominent industry players include Maxar Technologies Inc., The Lockheed Martin Corporation, Airbus SE, Honeywell International Inc., BAE Systems PLC, ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky lands new Gen-3 expansion contracts amid rising global demand for tactical space ...

BlackSky leverages a vertically integrated technology stack that includes satellite manufacturing, software, and artificial intelligence to ...

Jan 20,2026
Gilat receives approximately $11 million SkyEdge platform order from leading satellite ...

Gilat Satellite Networks, a worldwide leader in satellite networking technology, solutions, and services, has announced that its Commercial ...

Jan 20,2026
In Davos, von der Leyen pitches 'European independence' versus Trump's worldview

... worldview with her own vision of an independent Europe open to the world. ... Starlink satellite carrier rocket launches into space · Iran's ...

Jan 20,2026
A Shift in the Satellite Imaging Sector: Planet Labs Soars as Maxar Goes Private

The move aims to accelerate investment in next-generation technologies—like the WorldView Legion satellite constellation—free from the short-term ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky lands multiple Gen-3 expansion contracts as early access pilot programs pivot into ...

BlackSky is leveraging its full technology stack of vertically integrated satellite manufacturing, software and AI solutions to meet global ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky (BKSY) Expands Gen-3 Contracts Amid Growing Defense Spe - GuruFocus

Its Spectra AI software platform processes data from BlackSky's constellation and other third-party sensors to develop the critical insights and ...

Jan 20,2026
Seth Cropsey: Donald Trump's operational masterstrokes - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

TOPSHOT - This handout satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies and dated June 27, 2025. 1. MORE. Seth Cropsey: Donald Trump's operational ...

Jan 20,2026
BlackSky signs multiple Gen-3 expansion contracts globally - Investing.com

This rapid deployment and imagery delivery highlight BlackSky's advancements in satellite technology. Meanwhile, Jefferies initiated coverage on ...

Jan 20,2026
Analysis of Segments and Major Growth Areas in the Low-Orbit Satellite Constellation Market

In November 2024, BlackSky Technology Inc., a US-based geospatial intelligence firm, acquired LeoStella LLC for an undisclosed amount. This strategic ...

Jan 20,2026
Algeria launches ALSAT-3A Earth Observation satellite - BroadcastPro ME

The remote sensing satellite was placed into orbit from the Jiuquan Satellite ... Satellogic secures ...

Jan 20,2026
Satellite image shows world's former largest iceberg near end - norfolkneradio.com

The newly released Copernicus Sentinel-2 satellite image was captured over the South Atlantic Ocean in December ... Mobile Food Pantry. American Legion ...

Jan 20,2026
Satellites and AI Combat Invasive Species Crisis | Mirage News

The academics fed SkySat satellite imagery of locations across New South Wales into two machine learning algorithms. One model could detect ...

Jan 20,2026
SAR
Guide to winter stargazing in Colorado

... constellation Orion), Capella (Auriga constellation), Pollux (Gemini), Procyon (Canis Minor) Sirius (Canus Major), and Aldebaran (Taurus).

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine Expands SAR Collaboration With Iceye - Via Satellite

Finnish satellite imagery provider Iceye has expanded its work with a customer in the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine to ensure Ukraine's armed ...

Jan 20,2026
We Are "Living Beyond Our Hydrological Means," UN Report Warns - Eos

How Satellite Data Helped Avoid Hunger from Drought. 20 January 2026 20 January 2026. Editors' Vox · Bridging the Gap: Transforming Reliable Climate ...

Jan 20,2026
European defence newbies come to market at sky-high valuations - Financial Times

Finnish satellite start-up Iceye, also reportedly headed to market, has boosted its defence stripes in part thanks to early investors such as BAE ...

Jan 20,2026
The animation below demonstrates how four ICEYE satellites teamed up to collect 43 ... - LinkedIn

... Satellite 3 takes 10 sparse images, followed by - Satellite 4, which takes eight images in a Brickwall pattern. Learn how Multi-Spot capability ...

Jan 20,2026
CTech, Hamad Bin Khalifa University and Nardan Motor join forces in Qatar for next ...

... satellite communication technologies in Qatar. HBKU is a research ... ICEYE expands space intelligence cooperation with Ukrainian MoD · All ...

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine, Sweden expand access to ICEYE's satellite SAR imagery | Electronics Weekly

Iceye – the Finnish specialist in satellite-based SAR imagery (Synthetic Aperture Radar) – has agreed expanded access to its data for Ukraine and ...

Jan 20,2026
Engineering Manager - Satellite Fleet Planning at Iceye in Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland

ICEYE is the global leader in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite operations for Earth Observation, persistent monitoring, and natural ...

Jan 20,2026
Plastic Debris Helps Oil Residues Reach Farther Across the Ocean - Eos.org

... Eos, 107, https://doi.org/10.1029/2026EO260033. Published on 20 ... How Satellite Data Helped Avoid Hunger from Drought. 20 January 2026 20 ...

Jan 20,2026
How Satellite Data Helped Avoid Hunger from Drought - Eos.org

Satellites detecting anomalies of the spectral reflectance of crops in Uganda successfully foretold imminent crop failure and automatically ...

Jan 20,2026
India may need 2-3 years to replace 3 strategic satellites lost in 12 months - WION

These are: GSLV-F15/NVS-02(satellite failure) in Jan 2025, PSLV-C61/EOS-09(mid-flight rocket failure and satellite loss) in May 2025, and the PSLV-C62 ...

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine turns to space data to speed up battlefield decisions - Dagens.com

ICEYE operates the world's largest SAR satellite constellation, capable of delivering imagery with resolutions of up to 16 centimetres and very ...

Jan 20,2026
HII Demos Coordinated USV-UUV Ops Using Autonomy Software - The Defense Post

Crimea bridge from satellite imagery. ICEYE Expands Space-Based Intelligence Support for Ukraine. January 20, 2026. A drone swarm flies against a ...

Jan 20,2026
ICEYE Expands Space-Based Intelligence Support for Ukraine - The Defense Post

... ICEYE. ICEYE's constellation of SAR satellites can revisit the same location in space daily. Photo: ICEYE. ICEYE's Satellites. Under the recent ...

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine Expands Space-Based Intelligence With ICEYE - Eureka

ICEYE expands space-based intelligence support for Ukraine. Read More ... ICEYE Expands Radar Constellation With Launch of Five SAR Satellites.

Jan 20,2026
Anomaly detected: ISRO updates on India's first 2026 satellite launch, PSLV outcome unclear - MSN

... EOS-N1 (Anvesha) Earth observation satellite along with 14 co-passenger satellites....

Jan 20,2026
Three back-to-back space mission failures call for 'serious introspection, honest analysis'

Another military reconnaissance C band SAR (synthetic aperture radar) satellite RISAT-1B, rechristened as EOS-09 was flown on the PSLV-C61 rocket on ...

Jan 20,2026
Hisdesat Begins Process for new SpainSat NG III Satellite after Irreparable Damage to ...

Following the irreparable damage to the SpainSat NG II satellite, Hisdesat, has initiated the RFQ process for the SpainSat NG III satellite ... PAZ-2 ...

Jan 20,2026
ISRO's PSLV Fails with SPY Satellite | Sabotage? Impact? Future? C62 - YouTube

ISRO's PSLV Fails with SPY Satellite | Sabotage? Impact? Future? C62 /-EOS-N1 (YouTube Reaction). Members first. 10 hours ago ...more. El_Scribbler.

Jan 20,2026
Ukraine, Sweden expand access to ICEYE's satellite SAR imagery - Electronics Weekly

Iceye agrees expanded access to its high-resolution SAR imagery for Ukraine and signs a new agreement with Sweden.

Jan 20,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)