The Q clearance has nothing to do with space technology!
It’s a now DOE managed security clearance on nuclear arms and nuclear technology. Wikipedia explanation is not that far wrong.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_clearance
Yeah, I know Q is DoE/nuclear term and not aerospace. But in popular vernacular it is a very high security clearance.
I would also note that high-tech top secret weapons have moved far past nuclear.
Q chose the term “Q-clearance patriot.” I always assumed there was a chance he/they were using the term in the vernacular.
When you find out for sure one way or the other, please let me know.