Canadian Tourist Arrested For Flouting Space Force Security

A 71-year-old Canadian tourist has been charged with using his drone to take aerial photos of restricted areas within the Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida, sparking concerns about the security of sensitive military installations. Xiao Guang Pan from Brampton, Ontario, has allegedly flown his drone over the base on three separate occasions in January 2025, targeting space launch complexes, a payload processing facility, and even munitions bunkers.

Federal law strictly prohibits unauthorized photography of vital defense installations, and Pan’s actions have been deemed a serious offense. As an “enthusiastic drone photographer/videographer,” Pan is no stranger to capturing scenic views and cityscapes from Canada, with his latest posts featuring sunny Orlando, Florida, on his Instagram account.

This incident highlights growing concerns over unauthorized drone activities near sensitive military installations. Another recent case involved a Chinese national arrested for allegedly flying a drone over Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. These events underscore the importance of understanding and respecting legal restrictions around such facilities.

The case has garnered attention from multiple US security and intelligence agencies, including Homeland Security Investigations, the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, and the FBI. Assistant US Attorney Richard Varadan is leading the prosecution, and the investigation is ongoing. Pan’s future remains uncertain.

For drone enthusiasts, this incident serves as a cautionary tale. While capturing stunning aerial shots can be a thrilling hobby, it is crucial to be aware of and adhere to regulations, especially when flying near critical infrastructure. The skies may seem inviting, but they come with rules that, if ignored, can lead to serious legal repercussions.

As commercially available drone technology becomes more prevalent, incidents like this underscore the importance of understanding and respecting legal restrictions around sensitive government facilities. The outcome of this case may provide important precedent for future incidents involving unauthorized drone photography of restricted government facilities.