Raft Awarded Second Phase Contract for Space Force API Gateway Program

Insider Brief

• Raft has been awarded a Phase 2 OTA contract by the U.S. Space Force to advance its API Gateway program, extending its role in enabling secure, real-time, bi-directional data translation across U.S. government and allied space operations.
• The API Gateway builds on Raft’s [R] Data Platform, supporting cross-domain interoperability, modular architecture, and AI-driven mission response while meeting IL6+ security standards—key to the modernization of the Unified Data Library and Space Force’s Golden Dome strategy.
• Raft’s solution processes over 1.45 billion messages per day with 9ms latency, supporting Space Traffic Management and Protect and Defend missions; Phase 2 will further integrate autonomous operations and cloud-agnostic deployment.

PRESS RELEASE – Raft, a non-traditional defense technology company delivering autonomous data fusion and AI-driven decision dominance for the Department of Defense, has been awarded another Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) by the U.S. Space Force — this time for Phase 2 of the API Gateway program. This award builds on Raft’s successful execution of Phase 1 and marks another strategic win as the company continues to shape the future of secure data transformation across the space domain.

In a highly competitive down selection that included new and established defense contractors in the industry, Raft’s high-performance solution proved its ability to deliver universal, bi-directional data translation and transformation at massive scale — a critical capability as the Space Force pushes forward with its Unified Data Library (UDL) modernization and Golden Dome initiatives.

“We’re not just building for Space Force—we’re building for the future of space operations across the entire U.S. government,” said Shubhi Mishra, Founder and CEO of Raft. “This API Gateway is an extension of our proven [R] Data Platform ([R]DP), which stands apart for its ability to perform real-time, secure data translation across all classification levels—from the tactical edge to the enterprise. With built-in Cross Domain Solutions, a modular architecture, deployments in IL6+ networks, data standard and ontology agnostic integration, [R] DP enables seamless interoperability between legacy systems, commercial space data providers, and operational platforms supporting real-time mission execution—at speed and at scale. It’s not just about connecting data; it’s about transforming it into immediate, mission-ready action. This OTA award reinforces that the government is leaning into agile, non-traditional partners to lead the way on critical infrastructure modernization—and we’re proud to deliver.”

The API Gateway is a mission-critical enabler of the Space Force’s expanded UDL strategy outlined in its recently released Data & AI Strategic Action Plan. The Gateway acts as the connective tissue between legacy and modern systems, commercial and DoD data sources, and allied partners—ensuring the right data is accessible, interoperable, and secure across classification levels. Raft’s technology accelerates decision cycles, decreases latency, and ensures warfighters and Guardians have real-time insights at the tactical edge.

In Phase 1, Raft exceeded government benchmarks, delivering a system capable of processing over 1.45 billion messages per day with an average latency of just 9 milliseconds. This foundation now enables the Department of Commerce (DoC) to operationalize Space Traffic Management (STM), while the U.S. Space Force sharpens its focus on Protect and Defend missions in support of Space Policy Directive-3 (SPD-3).

With Phase 2 underway, Raft is advancing the API Gateway to serve as the backbone of autonomous space operations—integrating AI-driven mission response, resilient encryption, and cloud-agnostic deployment at IL6 and above. These enhancements directly support the Space Force’s multi-domain operations by enabling seamless joint and allied interoperability and delivering real-time, AI-enhanced situational awareness across the evolving Unified Data Library (UDL) ecosystem. As the Space Force accelerates its vision for a unified, intelligent space domain infrastructure, Raft’s autonomous architecture bridges the gap between commercial innovation and operational reality—faster, more securely, and without the burden of legacy lock-in.