Shawn Ryan Show – Episode #185: Scott "Kidd" Poteet on SpaceX Polaris Dawn Astronaut, Spacewalk, Moon Landing, and Mars

Release Date: March 24, 2025

1. Introduction

In Episode #185 of the Shawn Ryan Show, host Shawn Ryan welcomes Scott Poteet, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, former F16 pilot, and astronaut involved in pioneering space missions. Scott shares his extensive experience in both military aviation and cutting-edge space exploration programs, offering listeners an in-depth look into his remarkable journey from combat missions to orbiting the Earth.

2. Early Life and Military Career

Sean Ryan (00:34): “Scott Poteet, welcome to the show.”

Scott Poteet (00:37): “Thanks for having me. This is, this is quite an experience. So thank you.”

Born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and raised in New Hampshire, Scott earned a bachelor's degree in Outdoor Education from the University of New Hampshire. His competitive nature led him to a distinguished career in the U.S. Air Force, where he logged over 3,200 flight hours in aircraft such as F16s, A4s, and T38s. Scott's commitment saw him supporting various combat operations, including Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Joint Guardian, Freedom Sentinel, and Resolute Support.

He commanded the 64th Aggressor Squadron, graduated from the elite USAF Weapons School (akin to Top Gun), and flew as the number four demonstration pilot with the Thunderbirds.

3. Transition to the Civilian Sector

After retiring from the Air Force, Scott transitioned to the private sector, taking on roles such as Director of Business Development at Draken International and Vice President of Strategy at Shift4 Payments. His leadership skills and strategic insight facilitated his involvement in high-profile civilian space missions, bridging military precision with commercial innovation.

4. Involvement in Space Missions

a. Inspiration4

Scott served as the Mission Director for Inspiration4, the world's first all-civilian spaceflight in 2021. This mission marked a significant milestone in democratizing access to space, setting the stage for future commercial endeavors.

b. Polaris Dawn

As the Mission Pilot for Polaris Dawn in 2024, Scott embarked on a SpaceX mission that propelled him nearly 900 miles above Earth—the farthest humans have traveled since the Apollo missions. Polaris Dawn included the first-ever commercial spacewalk and aimed to push the boundaries of human space exploration further than ever before.

5. Discussing Space Exploration

a. Moon Landing and Future Missions

Scott and Shawn delve into the reasons behind the hiatus in moon landings since 1969. Scott attributes this to NASA's shift in focus towards low Earth orbit and the establishment of the International Space Station, which prioritized scientific research over lunar exploration. However, with the advent of commercial space companies like SpaceX rekindling ambitions to return to the moon and eventually reach Mars, Scott remains optimistic about the future of lunar missions.

Scott Poteet (05:24): “I think we just shifted our focus as a country. NASA had different priorities once we went to the moon, which I do believe we have.”

b. Commercial Space vs NASA

The conversation highlights the synergetic relationship between NASA and commercial space entities. Scott emphasizes that while NASA laid the foundational achievements in space exploration, commercial companies bring innovation and agility, enabling more ambitious projects.

Scott Poteet (10:53): “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants of what they've been able to accomplish. And moving forward, it is definitely a partnership.”

6. Challenges and Innovations in Space Missions

a. Developing EVA Suits

One of the critical challenges discussed is the development of new Extravehicular Activity (EVA) suits for commercial spacewalks. Unlike NASA's multi-layered EMU suits, the Polaris Dawn mission required a more streamlined and cost-effective solution. Scott details the innovative approach taken to design a versatile suit capable of withstanding extreme temperatures and facilitating mobility during spacewalks.

Scott Poteet (203:12): “They came up with these new funky joints, certain bearings on all these joints to have mobility because you want it pliable when you’re not pressurized.”

b. Communication Technology with Starlink

Effective communication is paramount for long-duration space missions. Scott explains how integrating SpaceX’s Starlink technology ensures robust and low-latency communication between spacecraft and Earth, a vital component for missions targeting the moon and Mars.

Scott Poteet (217:19): “Starlink is the future of communication with it being laser based. Let’s see if we can get it to work from space for the very first time.”

7. Personal Experiences and Family Life

Scott shares heartfelt anecdotes about meeting his wife, Kristen, during his first assignment in Korea, and the challenges they faced, including Kristen’s battle with cancer. Their journey underscores the importance of family support amidst the demands of military and space missions.

Scott Poteet (90:36): “She was absolutely beautiful. She's caring. She's fun. We just knew right off the bat.”

8. Reflecting on Combat and Faith

The discussion takes a profound turn as Scott reflects on the emotional toll of combat missions and how his experiences shaped his faith. He touches on the moral dilemmas faced during missions, the burden of making life-and-death decisions, and how these experiences led him to find solace and guidance in his Christian faith.

Scott Poteet (140:34): “I'm trying to focus my life on making the decisions that put God first and that, you know, it's kind of why I want to speak more at this point in my life, is to share my stories and hopefully God can use me as a voice to get his message out.”

9. Polaris Dawn Mission Details

Scott provides an inside look into the Polaris Dawn mission, detailing the rigorous training involved, the development of the EVA suits, and the mission's objectives. He describes the mission's altitude achievements, the first commercial spacewalk, and the integration of scientific experiments aimed at understanding the challenges of long-duration spaceflight.

Scott Poteet (190:22): “We took these dishes, we actually took some to the Ukraine in the beginning of the war to drop off. So St. Jude could set up their hospitals and have telecommunications or telemedicine capability with doctors back at Memphis.”

The mission not only set new records for altitude but also tested critical technologies like Starlink in space, enhancing global communication and supporting humanitarian efforts on Earth.

10. Conclusion

The episode concludes with Scott expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share his experiences and insights. He emphasizes the importance of combining military discipline with commercial innovation to advance space exploration. Scott’s journey from the cockpit of an F16 to the vast expanse of space serves as an inspiring testament to human resilience and the relentless pursuit of knowledge.

Sean Ryan (257:34): “Scott, what a hell of a journey, man. That is a hell of a journey.”

Scott Poteet (263:07): “Thank you. Honor's mine, man. I just appreciate the opportunity. What you're doing is absolutely amazing and all the power to you.”

Notable Quotes

• Sean Ryan (05:24): “We have not been back to the moon since 1969. Why haven't we gone back?”

• Scott Poteet (10:53): “We’re standing on the shoulders of giants of what they've been able to accomplish. And moving forward, it is definitely a partnership.”

• Scott Poteet (140:34): “I'm trying to focus my life on making the decisions that put God first... to share my stories and hopefully God can use me as a voice to get his message out.”

• Sean Ryan (257:34): “Scott, what a hell of a journey, man. That is a hell of a journey.”

Final Thoughts

Scott Poteet's narrative weaves together themes of duty, innovation, personal struggle, and faith, providing listeners with a comprehensive understanding of what it takes to transition from a decorated military pilot to a trailblazing astronaut. His reflections offer valuable lessons on leadership, resilience, and the profound impact of exploring the unknown.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements, sponsorship segments, and non-content sections to maintain focus on the substantive discussions between Shawn Ryan and Scott Poteet.