Chapter 23 opens with a sweeping exploration of how the Space Force emerged from a decades-long struggle between visionaries and entrenched bureaucracy. In this conversation, retired Air Force General Stephen Kwast recounts how the idea of space dominance was born in the minds of strategists as far back as the 1940s and why it took until 2019, and the political will of President Trump, to finally establish an independent military branch. General Kwast explains how the Space Force differs from Space Command, why consolidating satellite control was a historic milestone, and how public-private partnerships with companies like SpaceX will transform defense and daily life.

The discussion charts the path from Sputnik to Starlink, weaving in Cold War lessons, bureaucratic infighting, and the technological breakthroughs needed to fuel what he calls a golden age. Throughout, the episode warns of the dangers of overclassification, the fragility of centralized systems, and the urgency of building resilience. The narrative closes with a powerful call for civic vigilance and the conviction that space power will be the cornerstone of America’s security and prosperity in the years ahead.