By F. Scott Faulkner
Santa Barbara County, CA
Santa Barbara County—Santa Barbara — major tourist destination renowned for its
viticulture and picturesque beaches—was a target of foreign espionage. The December 10
arrest of 39-year-old Yinpiao Zhou is a reminder that a major U.S defense installation
sits squarely on its coastline. Vandenberg Space Force Base serves as both a launch pad for
NASA and SpaceX missile launches and is a site monitored 24/7 as a routine protocol in the
interests of the country’s military defense.
On Nov. 30 drone detection systems at the missile base detected an unauthorized
flight as a Falcon 9 rocket launched a classified payload for the National Reconnaissance Office
and 20 Starlink satellites. According to U.S. Attorney’s Office spokesperson Ciaran McEveoy,
“the drone flew approximately 1.8 miles into Vandenberg’s restricted airspace.”
The immediately ensuing investigation by base personnel identified Zhou and another individual
as the suspect parties. Upon contact with Zhou, with a federal search warrant,
it was discovered that Zhou had concealed the drone involved in the incident under his jacket. He was also
in possession of aerial photographs of the base. Further investigation included a
Google search on Zhou’s phone for “Vandenberg Space Force Base Drone Rules” revealed his
discussions about modifying the drone to exceed its normal altitude limits.
It was determined that Zhou was residing in Contra Costa County on a valid visa, he was
released on his own recognizance. But when he showed up at San Francisco International Airport
and attempted to board a flight to China, he was met by FBI agents and promptly taken into
custody. “The FBI is leading the investigation” but faces federal charges of “failing to register an
aircraft not providing transportation and violating national defense airspace.”
He remains in custody, “facing up to four years in federal prison if convicted.”
