Federal Agents Arrest Chinese National for Allegedly Flying Drone Over Vandenberg Space Force Base

Yinpiao Zhou was arrested at San Francisco International Airport just before he was set to board a flight back to China on Dec. 9.
Federal Agents Arrest Chinese National for Allegedly Flying Drone Over Vandenberg Space Force Base
A control tower at the Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Aug. 25, 2024. Brendan Smialowski/AFP via Getty Images
Jill McLaughlin
Updated:
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Federal agents arrested a Chinese national on Dec. 9 suspected of flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and taking photos of the SpaceX rocket pads on a day when the contractor launched a sensitive national reconnaissance payload.

Authorities arrested Yinpiao Zhou, 39, at the San Francisco International Airport just before he was set to board a China-bound flight, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.

Jill McLaughlin
Jill McLaughlin
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Jill McLaughlin is an award-winning journalist covering politics, environment, and statewide issues. She has been a reporter and editor for newspapers in Oregon, Nevada, and New Mexico. Jill was born in Yosemite National Park and enjoys the majestic outdoors, traveling, golfing, and hiking.