A 71-year-old Canadian customer faces federal fees after allegedly photographing categorised areas at Cape Canaveral House Pressure Station utilizing a drone over three consecutive days. In response to a information launch from the U.S. Legal professional’s Workplace for the Center District of Florida, Xiao Guang Pan, who was within the United States on a vacationer visa, carried out unauthorized drone flights over the navy set up from January 5-7, 2024, reviews The Miami Herald.
Unauthorized Documentation of Restricted Areas
The fees allege Pan captured drone images of a number of categorised and restricted areas with out permission from any commanding officer.
In response to prosecutors, the documented websites included:
- House Launch complexes
- Navy weapons bunkers
- Payload processing facility
- Submarine wharf
Courtroom paperwork point out Pan photographed an area launch advanced and payload processing facility operated by two protection contractors on January 5 and 6. On January 7, he captured photos of one other advanced and navy gear run by a 3rd contractor. The precise protection contractors weren’t recognized within the court docket submitting, although a number of corporations, together with SpaceX, preserve operations on the base.
Authorized Proceedings and Potential Penalties
Pan has been charged with three counts of use of plane for the illegal photographing of protection set up with out authorization. Every rely carries a possible sentence of as much as one yr in jail. The federal government summoned Pan to seem in federal court docket in Orlando on February 14 to find out acceptable circumstances for his launch.
In response to court docket paperwork, Pan has knowledgeable the federal government about current medical issues requiring prescription refills earlier than March 11, along with his physician being situated in Canada. As of February 14, details about Pan’s Authorized illustration was not out there in court docket information.
Navy Set up Response
House Launch Delta 45, the House Pressure unit liable for managing navy launch operations alongside the East Coast together with Cape Canaveral, was contacted for remark however had not supplied a direct response. This unit oversees the restricted areas the place the alleged unauthorized drone pictures passed off.
DroneXL’s Take
This case highlights the intersection of civilian drone use and navy set up safety protocols. As commercially out there drone expertise turns into extra prevalent, incidents like this underscore the significance of understanding and respecting authorized restrictions round delicate navy installations. The result of this case could present vital precedent for future incidents involving unauthorized drone pictures of restricted authorities services.
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