Shawn Ryan Show Episode #202: Steve Quast – CEO of SpaceBilt: Can We Manipulate Space and Time?

Release Date: May 22, 2025
Host: Shawn Ryan
Guest: Steve Quast, Lieutenant General (USAF, Retired), Founder and CEO of SpaceBilt

Introduction to Steve Quast

The episode opens with Shawn Ryan welcoming Steve Quast to the show. Quast is introduced as a highly accomplished individual with a rich background spanning from being a U.S. Air Force general to pioneering space construction and energy technologies. His multifaceted experience includes:

• Military Service: Active participation in major combat operations, culminating as the commanding general at Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan.
• Education: Graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in astronautical engineering (1986) and holds a Master's from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.
• Entrepreneurship: Co-founder and CEO of SpaceBilt, a company focused on space construction, sustainability, and economic development.

Notable Quote:

"Thank you very much. And thank you for what you're doing for our world by Finding Truth."
[01:08] Steve Quast

Space Technologies and Their Implications

Steve Quast delves deep into the transformative potential of space technologies. He emphasizes that energy, transportation, information, and manufacturing are pivotal in shaping humanity's future and global power dynamics.

• Energy from Space: Quast discusses the feasibility of beaming solar energy from space to Earth using rectennas, achieving up to 80% efficiency compared to traditional methods' 20-30%. This technology promises to provide clean, reliable energy irrespective of weather or time of day.

  Notable Quote:

  "The experiments in space are showing the promise of initial efficiency levels of 80%."
  [122:24] Steve Quast

• Transportation Innovations: He outlines a near-future scenario where reusable rockets can transport 100 tons of equipment anywhere on Earth within an hour. This rapid deployment capability could revolutionize logistics, disaster response, and military operations.

  Notable Quote:

  "From Nashville to Singapore, it only takes about six or seven minutes to get up to the place where there's almost no molecules of air... and you're there in less than an hour."
  [78:17] Steve Quast

• Space Infrastructure Construction: SpaceBilt aims to build modular, reusable satellites and infrastructure in space, significantly reducing costs and eliminating space junk. This approach allows for continuous upgrades and maintenance, ensuring technology remains cutting-edge.

  Notable Quote:

  "We think of it like a LEGO box. You don't have to spend all the money to make them bulletproof. You can build them bigger and with big apertures and big power now."
  [111:56] Steve Quast

National Security and Geopolitical Competition

A significant portion of the discussion centers around the strategic importance of space in national security and the intense competition with global adversaries, notably China and Russia.

• Space Warfare: Quast warns of the potential for space to become a new battlefield, where the destruction of enemy satellites can generate debris threatening global communications and infrastructure.

  Notable Quote:

  "If somebody else acts in an evil way, then you just become a victim of it... space has the potential of being a place where people exact violence for personal gain."
  [07:42] Steve Quast

• China's Advancements: He highlights China's proactive approach in space, including mining helium-3 on the Moon for quantum computing applications. Quast expresses concern over China's ability to leverage these resources to dominate both energy and information markets.

  Notable Quote:

  "China is mining helium 3 on the Moon, which is abundant and could supply the energy needs of the human race for thousands of years."
  [157:20] Steve Quast

• Space Force and Policy: Quast praises President Trump's initiative to establish the U.S. Space Force, viewing it as a critical step towards ensuring America's dominance and security in the space domain.

  Notable Quote:

  "The legislation that President Trump championed to get a Space Force written into law will be the wedge in history that protects America."
  [44:39] Steve Quast

Innovation Hurdles in the United States

Quast critiques the slowdown of technological innovation in the U.S., attributing it to bureaucratic red tape, the military-industrial-congressional complex, and resistance to disruptive technologies.

• Military-Industrial Complex: Drawing from President Eisenhower's warnings, Quast explains how entrenched interests and lobbying prevent the adoption of groundbreaking technologies.

  Notable Quote:

  "We have a problem. So as a nation, and we need to... the problem is that we are stuck in the way we've always done things."
  [16:27] Steve Quast

• Case Study - Reusable Rockets: Using Elon Musk's SpaceX as an example, Quast illustrates how innovators face skepticism and resistance from established institutions before breakthroughs are accepted.

  Notable Quote:

  "They were laughing him off the stage... But it took a lot of money to break through."
  [20:31] Steve Quast

Quantum Technologies and Their Potential

The conversation shifts to the realm of quantum technologies, where Quast explores their profound implications for computing, sensing, and communication.

• Quantum Computing: Discussing Microsoft's advancements, Quast warns that quantum computers could crack all existing encryption, rendering current security measures obsolete. The reliance on helium-3 for cooling quantum systems is a critical bottleneck, highlighting the strategic importance of space-based helium-3 mining.

  Notable Quote:

  "They will be able to crack every code and every blockchain, everything we have ever invented to keep any secret."
  [161:37] Steve Quast

• Quantum Communication: He explains the phenomenon of quantum entanglement, where two particles remain interconnected regardless of distance. This could enable instantaneous communication but also poses risks, such as altering historical data if intercepted.

  Notable Quote:

  "Quantum communication can rewrite history. If it does not want to be seen, it disappears."
  [174:43] Steve Quast

Energy and Water Innovations for a Sustainable Future

Quast emphasizes the necessity of redefining energy and water systems to achieve global sustainability and independence from traditional infrastructures.

• Beaming Energy and Efficient Water Production: He introduces Genesis Systems, a company focused on innovative water generation and energy solutions. Their technology uses liquid desiccants to efficiently extract water from air, offering a scalable solution for regions facing water scarcity.

  Notable Quote:

  "If you can produce water anywhere and produce electricity anywhere without the need for terrestrial infrastructure... you can usher in the golden age."
  [147:50] Steve Quast

• Space-Based Power Plants: Discussing the future of power generation, Quast envisions space-based nuclear and solar power plants that beam energy directly to Earth, drastically increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

  Notable Quote:

  "Solar power from space is going to require building in space larger structures... that's why our company is so promising."
  [122:24] Steve Quast

Cultural Barriers to Innovation

A recurring theme is the cultural resistance to change within established institutions and society at large, which hampers the adoption of revolutionary technologies.

• Historical Analogies: Quast draws parallels with the transition from horses to mechanized warfare in World War II, illustrating how cultural attachments can delay essential advancements.

  Notable Quote:

  "In World War II, the cavalry wanted to keep horses on the battlefield. It took visionaries like General Marshall to push for mechanization."
  [88:11] Steve Quast

• Modern-Day Resistance: He laments the current reluctance of government and large corporations to embrace innovations like autonomous vehicles and space-based infrastructure, fearing loss of control and existing revenue models.

  Notable Quote:

  "Culture eats technology and strategy for lunch. People's fear of change prevents them from adopting new solutions."
  [65:10] Steve Quast

Philosophical and Moral Perspectives

Steve Quast intertwines his technological vision with philosophical and moral considerations, underscoring the importance of truth, free will, and ethical responsibility in shaping the future.

• Truth and Information Warfare: He warns against the manipulation of information through AI and social media, advocating for critical thinking and human interaction to discern truth.

  Notable Quote:

  "Truth has been morphed and mutated. Information is now a battle space. We're like teenagers in this information age."
  [20:32] Steve Quast

• Moral Imperative: Quast ties the advancement of technology to a higher moral purpose, believing that innovations should serve to uplift humanity and honor ethical values rooted in his Christian faith.

  Notable Quote:

  "Our mission is to usher in peace through strength because without it, people will walk all over you."
  [44:41] Steve Quast

Future Outlook and Closing Remarks

In the concluding segments, Quast reiterates the urgency of embracing space and quantum technologies to secure a prosperous and secure future. He emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and adherence to ethical standards as pillars for achieving a golden age.

• Space Economy as a Superpower: Quast envisions the space-based economy as surpassing traditional domains, enabling unprecedented levels of connectivity, energy access, and information dissemination.

  Notable Quote:

  "Space is going to be the thing that enables the human race to truly usher in a new economy that turns to the heavens for our resources."
  [132:24] Steve Quast

• Call to Action: He urges listeners to stay informed, support innovative ventures, and advocate for policies that foster technological advancements without succumbing to bureaucratic inertia.

  Notable Quote:

  "Start learning. Because if you are a citizen that does not just gets up, has a cup of coffee, goes to work, comes home... you will not hang on to this republic."
  [157:12] Steve Quast

Final Thoughts: Steve Quast's compelling insights shed light on the critical intersection of space technology, national security, and sustainable energy. His call for innovation, paired with a steadfast commitment to truth and ethical responsibility, underscores the transformative potential lying beyond our atmosphere.

Notable Quote:

"We have to be leaders in this to make, to defend our values. Because ultimately, all of this competition with China, Russia, anybody else is about who can protect their values."
[170:00] Steve Quast

Conclusion

Episode #202 of the Shawn Ryan Show offers a profound exploration of how space and quantum technologies can reshape our world. Through Steve Quast's expert perspectives, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in securing a sustainable and secure future for humanity.

Note: All timestamps correspond to the provided transcript and are indicative of when each quote was mentioned.