Chinese national arrested for flying drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California

A Chinese national named Yinpiao Zhou, aged 39, was arrested on December 9, 2024, at San Francisco International Airport before boarding a flight to China. Zhou is accused of flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California, on November 30, 2024, and taking photographs of the base, including sensitive areas like SpaceX rocket pads. He faces charges of failure to register an aircraft not providing transportation and violation of national defense airspace.

Evidence found includes photographs on the drone's SD card, Google searches for "Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules," and messages discussing how to hack the drone to bypass altitude restrictions. Zhou is a Chinese citizen and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., having most recently returned from China in February 2024. If convicted, he could face up to four years in federal prison. The FBI is investigating this matter.

17GEN4.com