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
AP explains satellite photos seeing activity at Iran nuclear sites - YouTube

As tensions soar over Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, satellite images show activity at two Iranian nuclear sites bombed last year ...

Jan 31,2026
BREAKING: Activity at Iran nuclear sites amid deadly explosions - YouTube

New satellite imagery shows construction underway at Iranian nuclear facilities damaged in last year's U.S. and Israeli strikes, with roofs being ...

Jan 31,2026
Chinese Satellites EXPOSE U.S Army | Iranian Ballistic Targets Locked In - YouTube

High-resolution Chinese commercial satellite imagery has publicly revealed U.S. Patriot air defense systems and other military deployments in the ...

Jan 31,2026
USA's Arab Ally Double Crosses Trump, Shares America's Secrets With Iran's Friend Vladimir Putin?

Chinese Satellite Imagery Sheds Light on U.S. Military Activity as Iran Signals Strategic Readiness. Cross World News. New. 4.8K views · 3:30.

Jan 31,2026
Defense - Recent satellite imagery indicates renewed activity at a Russian military facility ...

Recent satellite imagery indicates renewed activity at a Russian military facility close to the Finnish border, including infrastructure ...

Jan 31,2026
PJTAU to submit satellite imagery based crop area estimation report on Feb. 6 - The Hindu

... imagery, by entering into an agreement with a Switzerland-based firm specialising in the area SARMAP - a satellite image analysis organisation.

Jan 31,2026
Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows the rubble of the Pilot ...

Jan 31,2026
SpaceX files plans for million-satellite orbital data center constellation - SpaceNews

SpaceX is seeking FCC approval for a satellite constellation of unprecedented scale intended to function as an orbital data center.

Jan 31,2026
Shifting sands: Where exactly are Michigan's 'critical' dunes these days? - MLive.com

MLive file photo of Pyramid Point at Sleeping Bear Dunes · Open dunes in Michigan · Satellite image of linear sand dunes · Vermillion Point on Lake ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite Images Reveal Russia Reviving Military Base Near Finnish Border

According to Yle, satellite imagery shows significant clearing activity ... Satellite image of the Petrozavodsk military site showing cleared ...

Jan 31,2026
Russian Spy Satellite Luch Completely Destroyed After Collision with Space Debris

The Russian reconnaissance satellite Luch, also known as Olymp (NORAD 40258), was completely destroyed in its so-called “graveyard orbit.”

Jan 31,2026
Live: Explosion reported at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas, cause unclear - France 24

Une image satellite BlackSky Gen-3 avec analyse basée sur l'IA mettant en File photo: A BlackSky Gen-3 satellite image with AI-based analysis ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite images reveal activity at Iran nuclear sites bombed by US, Israel - Fox News

On the right, in a satellite image taken on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026, a new roof is seen over the building. (Planet Labs PBC via AP). Those ...

Jan 31,2026
Russia Appears to Prepare Escalation Near Ukraine. What Satellite Images Reveal

... satellite imagery from January 2026. (Photo: Strategic Aviation of Russia) ...

Jan 31,2026
Iran: Explosion hits Bandar Abbas Port — reports - DW.com

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the ISOICO shipyard in the This satellite image shows an overview of ...

Jan 31,2026
Average color of each U.S. state from satellite imagery : r/MapPorn - Reddit

Average color of each U.S. state from satellite imagery. r/MapPorn ...

Jan 31,2026
Mitigating Maritime Risks: Mapping Dark Ships from Russia and Iran to India and China

The rapid expansion of commercial satellite constellations, such as ... “Why Satellite Imagery Is Critical to Maritime Domain Awareness ...

Jan 31,2026
Inertial Labs launches IRINS LEO-aided inertial navigation system - GPS World

Image: Viavi. No audio available for this content ... satellite-based timing with tactical-grade IMUs to deliver the most ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite Images Reveal Iran Activity at Isfahan and Natanz Nuclear Sites - YouTube

The satellite imagery raises international concern over nuclear security and transparency, highlighting the heightened risk of escalation in West Asia ...

Jan 31,2026
Absolutely stunning satellite-view image of a futuristic Mars landscape, generated with Grok Imagine:

Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal). 115 likes 33 replies. Absolutely stunning satellite-view image of a futuristic Mars landscape, generated with Grok ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite Launches
Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as U.S. threatens military strikes

Satellite images reveal activity at two Iranian nuclear sites ... Before Israel launched a 12-day war with Iran in June, the Islamic Republic ...

Jan 31,2026
SpaceX Seeks FCC Nod to Build Data Center Constellation in Space - Bloomberg.com

SpaceX is requesting permission to launch as many as 1 million satellites into the Earth's orbit in order to pull off Elon Musk's latest grand ...

Jan 31,2026
Corporations partner to help Calif. firefighters detect, fight wildfires faster - FireRescue1

Drones, sensors, satellite imagery, autonomous aircraft and cameras are among tools used to manage and fight wildfires. Lockheed Martin has teamed ...

Jan 31,2026
Elon Musk's SpaceX applies to launch 1m satellites into orbit - BBC

Elon Musk's SpaceX has applied to launch one million satellites into Earth's orbit to power artificial intelligence (AI).

Jan 31,2026
Cold snap narrows launch window for Artemis II mission - The Globe and Mail

... , on Friday.MIGUEL J. RODRIGUEZ CARRILLO/AFP/Getty Images. 0. Please log in to bookmark this story.Log InCreate Free Account. Listen to this article.

Jan 31,2026
Russian Spy Satellite Luch Completely Destroyed After Collision with Space Debris

The spacecraft was launched into orbit in September 2014. Formally, it was classified as a satellite of the Luch series, but it did not belong to the ...

Jan 31,2026
Pléiades Neo Next satellite to launch in early 2028 - Machinery Market News

The new spacecraft marks the next stage in Airbus's optical‑imaging roadmap, delivering 20cm‑class native resolution and enhanced data‑capture ...

Jan 31,2026
China launches AlSat-3B for Algeria, further launches delayed ahead of key human spaceflight test

A Long March 2C rocket lifts off from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in China's Gobi Desert ... Images shared on Chinese social media show a ...

Jan 31,2026
Russian Spy Satellite “Luch” Destroyed by Space Debris, Analysts Say - UNITED24 Media

Originally launched in September 2014, the Luch satellite has long ... Satellite Images Reveal Russia Reviving Military Base Near Finnish Border.

Jan 31,2026
Satellite Images Reveal Russia Reviving Military Base Near Finnish Border

Satellite Images Reveal Russia Reviving Military ... Russia Threatens to “Neutralize” NATO Activities as Alliance Launches Drills in Lithuania.

Jan 31,2026
What actually happens to a spacecraft during its fiery last moments? Here's why ESA wants to find out

... images side by side, one showing the metal ... A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket launches 27 Amazon Leo internet satellites on Dec.

Jan 31,2026
China launches AlSat-3B remote sensing satellite - CGTN

China successfully launched a new remote sensing satellite from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China on Saturday.

Jan 31,2026
Amazon To FCC: Our Starlink Rival Needs More Time To Deploy | PCMag

... Images). Amazon is ... In addition, Amazon says it's storing “hundreds of already-built-and-ready-to-launch satellites,” near the launch sites.

Jan 31,2026
China, Algeria expand space cooperation with new satellite launch - Chinadaily.com.cn

... launched by a Long March 2C rocket from the Jiuquan spaceport on Jan 15. The pair is tasked with obtaining data and images to support geological ...

Jan 31,2026
China to launch first-ever solar probe at Sun-Earth L5 point - CGTN

... Satellite Launch Centre in north China's Shanxi Province. Its mission was to conduct solar H-alpha spectral imaging in a 571-kilometer-altitude orbit.

Jan 31,2026
Botswana's First Satellite Explained: Name, Launch Partner, Payload, and Real Use Cases

Launch Partner: Bulgaria's EnduroSat, providing a 3U CubeSat platform and training for BIUST engineers. Payload: Mantis Hyperspectral Imager from ...

Jan 31,2026
Investing in space – finding profits at the final frontier | MoneyWeek

The ETF has 25 holdings, with launch services company Rocket Lab Corp and satellite imaging company Planet Labs being the two largest. Overall ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite images show renewed activity at Iran nuclear sites bombed by US

Iranians launch campaign to boycott Huda Beauty products over protest post. 5 hours ago. Listen to this article. An Instagram story posted by Huda ...

Jan 31,2026
Authorities launch investigation about nefarious cause of devastating floods - Yahoo

The forest-clearing activity has been widespread enough to appear in satellite imagery, according to Indonesia Business Post. The investigation ...

Jan 31,2026
Russia Appears to Prepare Escalation Near Ukraine. What Satellite Images Reveal

Russia has established nine launch sites for Iskander missile systems near Ukraine's border, including areas in occupied Crimea.

Jan 31,2026
EO-MSI
5 Clever Ways To Use Your Old Raspberry Pi As A Travel Companion - BGR

To get the GPS data, you'll need a GPS module like the Neo 6M. It uses satellite signals to determine the current latitude and longitude. Once you ...

Jan 31,2026
Pléiades Neo Next satellite to launch in early 2028 - Machinery Market News

Airbus is set to strengthen its position in high‑resolution Earth‑observation with the announcement that its first Pléiades Neo Next satellite will be ...

Jan 31,2026
BSKY Stock: Market Overview and Tickers - Bitget

... satellite imaging and data analytics. 4.2 BlackSky Technology Inc. Overview. BlackSky operates a constellation of high-revisit satellites. Recent ...

Jan 31,2026
Home Reef Volcano alert code for aviation increased to Orange - Matangi Tonga

... WorldView-2 commercial satellite imagery. “Volcanic activity remains ongoing, with volcanic gas, steam and vapor rising from the main vent since ...

Jan 31,2026
Live: Explosion reported at Iran's southern port of Bandar Abbas, cause unclear - France 24

Une image satellite BlackSky Gen-3 avec analyse basée sur l'IA mettant en File photo: A BlackSky Gen-3 satellite image with AI-based analysis ...

Jan 31,2026
Iran: Explosion hits Bandar Abbas Port — reports - DW.com

This satellite image provided by Maxar Technologies shows an overview of the ISOICO shipyard in the This satellite image shows an overview of the ...

Jan 31,2026
Maxar Stock (MAXR): History, Performance, and 2023 Privatization - Bitget

... satellite constellations, such as the WorldView Legion. In the years ... The company divided into two primary businesses: Maxar Intelligence and Maxar ...

Jan 31,2026
Xi Purges Top General: Nuclear Secrets Allegedly Leaked To US - NDTV

... ISI In Dhaka | ISO Satellite Launch | Is Xi Playing. October 31, 2025 22:03. Peace President's Nuclear Call | ISI In Dhaka | ISO Satellite Launch ...

Jan 31,2026
BKSY Stock Price: Analysis of BlackSky Technology Performance

... BlackSky from traditional satellite providers. Government and ... While companies like Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies offer similar services, ...

Jan 31,2026
Tech for Earth: Satellites, AI, and Maps in Action - Geoawesome

In the commercial sector, Vantor's WorldView Legion constellation is now fully operational, capable of collecting nearly 7 million square kilometers ...

Jan 31,2026
Occupiers block Ukrainian TV in Kherson region - CNS

... satellite dishes. … ... The goal is simple – to deprive residents of any alternative worldview ...

Jan 31,2026
With 'Stargaze,' SpaceX Aims to Prevent Orbital Starlink Satellite Collisions | PCMag

Stargaze is basically a space traffic control platform, and comes about a month after a satellite deployed from a Chinese rocket came within 200 ...

Jan 31,2026
Evercore ISI Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) Stock

Evercore ISI Forecasts Strong Price Appreciation for Lowe's Companies (NYSE:LOW) Stock ... satellite networks to data, defense, and in-space ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

Satellite images reveal activity at two Iranian nuclear sites ... American Legion Post 105. Free. Facebook · Twitter · WhatsApp · SMS · Email · Linkedin.

Jan 31,2026
What do satellite images reveal about Iran's hidden nuclear activity? - Al Bawaba

SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES / AFP Photo by - / SATELLITE IMAGE ©2025 MAXAR TECHNOLOGIES / AFP This handout satellite picture provided by ...

Jan 31,2026
Starlink to Launch Free Space Situational Awareness Platform - Via Satellite

Technology Skynopy Wins New Airbus Deal for Pléiades Neo Ground Segment Enhancement · Finance Lockheed Martin Space Sales Grew 4% in 2025 · Imagery ...

Jan 31,2026
NASA says its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program adds Satellogic's archived ...

MiloX Trading (@CryptoMilox). 15 views. NASA says its Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program adds Satellogic's archived, ...

Jan 31,2026
Novaspace Report Predicts Global Space Economy Market Could Top $1 Trillion by 2034

Latest News. Government/Military Azercosmos Signs Space and Satellite ... Technology Skynopy Wins New Airbus Deal for Pléiades Neo Ground Segment ...

Jan 31,2026
Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — As tensions soar over Iran's bloody crackdown on nationwide protests, satellite ... American Legion Baseball.

Jan 31,2026
Satellite photos show activity at Iran nuclear sites as tensions rise over protest crackdown

Satellite images reveal activity at two Iranian nuclear sites ... American Legion Breakfast · Tuolumne Country Veterans Hall | 8:00 am - 11 ...

Jan 31,2026
SAR
SpaceX seeks FCC nod for solar-powered satellite data centers for AI | Reuters

Exclusive: Australian laser maker EOS heads for Europe as defence demand soars · Australian laser maker EOS heads for Europe as defence demand soars.

Jan 31,2026
ISRO working towards first uncrewed Gaganyaan mission ahead of 2027 human spaceflight

The PSLV-C62 was carrying the EOS N1 satellite when the anomaly occurred. Tags: ISRO · Gaganyaan. Similar Posts. ISRO's PSLV-C62 mission fails after ...

Jan 31,2026
Exclusive: Australian laser maker EOS heads for Europe as defence demand soars - MSN

Jan 30 (Reuters) - Australia's Electro Optic Systems (EOS) is "very likely" to shift its headquarters and stock market listing from Australia to ...

Jan 31,2026
2026, February 9: Winter Stars Explained: Orion, Sirius, and the Hertzsprung–Russell Diagram

The constellation Orion rises into view during the early evening hours of February each year. ... Capella — meaning “the little she-goat” — is ...

Jan 31,2026
AirData expands global access to drone fleet platform with 8 new languages - GPS World

Eos MDM Configurator designed to streamline deployments · SES is ... satellite—more than 70 · US Space Force cancels smallsat project for ...

Jan 31,2026
NASA CSDA Program Vendor Focus: Tomorrow.io - YouTube

... satellite constellation and the unique atmospheric measurements it enables. ... NASA CSDA Program Vendor Focus: Umbra. NASA Earth•252 views · 1:14 ...

Jan 31,2026
Chung-Ang University Scientists Generate Electricity Using Tesla Turbine-Inspired Structure

Airbus, Hisdesat Sign Commercialisation Agreement for PAZ-2 Satellite Imagery. 01/28/2026 | Airbus Airbus Defence and Space and Hisdesat have ...

Jan 31,2026
NASA's Commercial Satellite Data Acquisition Program Releases Archived and Tasked ...

Commercial Satellite Data Explorer · Satellite Data Evaluation. CSDA Vendors. Airbus U.S. · BlackSky · Capella Space · GeoOptics · GHGSat · ICEYE ...

Jan 31,2026
SES raises concerns over Airbus-Thales-Leonardo space merger and announces plans to ...

Iceye: No IPO for now; $300M+ in 2025 rev, $3B valuation & expanding ... Blue Origin: We're building a 5,408-satellite constellation in...

Jan 31,2026
Utilities across Europe are increasingly turning to satellites to improve network resilience ...

Learn how satellite technologies support critical infrastructure and how ICEYE uses SAR satellites to help utilities monitor natural catastrophes to ...

Jan 31,2026
SSA

Questions about Commercial Innovation Center (CIC)