Scott “Kidd” Poteet is the Mission Pilot for Polaris Dawn, the first private spaceflight of the trailblazing Polaris Program operated by SpaceX. Launched in September 2024, Polaris Dawn and its crew spent five days in orbit, flying into the highest Earth orbit ever flown. The crew also achieved the first commercial spacewalk; supported scientific research designed to advance both human health on Earth and our understanding of human health during future long-duration spaceflights; and was the first to test Starlink laser-based communications in space.

A retired United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, Poteer served 20 years in various roles that include Commander of the 64th Aggressor Squadron, USAF Thunderbird #4 Demonstration Pilot, USAF Weapons School Graduate, Operational Test & Evaluation Pilot, and Flight Examiner. Kidd is a command pilot with over 3,200 flying hours in the F-16, A-4, T-38, T-37, T-3, and Alpha Jet. He has logged over 400 hours of combat time during Operations Northern Watch, Southern Watch, Joint Guardian, Freedom’s Sentinel, and Resolute Support.

Following his Air Force career, Poteet served as Director of Business Development at aerospace and defense company Draken International and as Vice President of Strategy at Shift4, a leading payment processing company. He most recently served as the Mission Director of Inspiration4, the world’s first all-civilian mission to space that helped raise over $240 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in an effort to help eradicate childhood cancer.

Poteet earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Outdoor Education at the University of New Hampshire and later attended the US Air Force's Air Command and Staff College. He earned a master's degree in counseling and leadership from University of Colorado - Colorado Springs in a program jointly operated with the Air Force Academy.

Poteet is also an accomplished collegiate runner and triathlete, having competed in 15 Ironman triathlons since 2000, including four Ironman World Championships in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

Pilots & Aviators, Air Force Research & Exploration, Space, Astronauts,