Somewhat different to the usual Hexacopter shots.

Grasshopper 325m Test | Single Camera (Hexacopter) - YouTube

Hell of a control capability in that rocket.

That was awesome. The footage was solid from the UAV but the rocket itself was really impressive the way it went up and landed again. Amazing stuff.

And the rest of the story -


July 31 2013 News of the Stupid.
“How not to run your high tech business, especially if it involves security badges and NDA's.”
Let’s say you've just spent four years developing some high-end hardware that could help revolutionize the burgeoning field of UAV technology; UAV meaning Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, or as they’ve become known, “Drones.” Such is the case for SpaceX contract hopeful, Colin Guinn CEO of DJI America.

This past April, SpaceX’s amazing “Ring of Fire” YouTube (add link) video showcased the test launch of the SpaceX Grasshopper and has now been seen by almost 2 million people. Many have wondered how they got an incredible camera shot looking straight down at the launch as the Grasshopper Launch Vehicle lifted off, soared right toward the camera, stopped, hovered, then lowered itself back to the pad.

Believe it or not the shot was captured by a consumer-grade drone called the S800, which was made by DJI Innovations and flown by CEO Colin Guinn. Assisting him was the drone’s remote control camera operator, Lon Breedlove, who's also the Creative Producer of DJI Innovations. Two friends were also invited along by Guinn to view the event and, as the footage indicates, the test went perfect.

Now here’s what not to do.

Having been issued security badges to the highly classified SpaceX Remote Proving Grounds Compound outside of Waco Texas, Guinn’s group was asked to return them as they tried to leave the heavily guarded grounds. In response, Guinn informed the guards the badges had already been turned in and was allowed to drive off.

Suspicious, the guards checked their security camera footage and clearly saw Guinn round up the security badges from his group, conceal them in his vehicle, then lie to the guards about what had happened to them. However, by that time Guinn and his group were almost back to Austin.

When confronted via cell phone, Guinn, like any good CEO, tried to blame the mistake on his underlings and promised to FedEx the badges back asap. Unfortunately for Guinn, SpaceX security was not amused and insisted he turn around and return the badges or the Austin police would pay him a visit.
And then it got worse.
SpaceX, after researching his story, realized Guinn had duplicated the launch footage before handing it over to their media personal -– which was in direct violation of the NDA's and job contract. Still worse, background checks on Guinn’s group revealed one of the "friends" he brought along was a Russian national that Guinn had falsely represented as a US citizen -- another direct violation of the security protocols in place at SpaceX.
As of this posting, an investigation is still under way. As for Guinn and his group, it looks like their career in security related jobs might be over –- unless it’s guarding the local mall after it closes.
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I only have to say, WHAT an IDIOT.

Martin

I guess he's lost all hope of a contract and will be regarded with suspicion by companies involved in hi tech research..

If he was dishonest with them then I would view him and products as something to stay away from.

Dang, I'll bet he'll have more than a BBQ with the feds before this is over - those acts border on espionage/treason.... and definitely represent theft of "corporate secrets". SpaceX may have a "quadcopter division" over this!

Even if the video was "cool" and a good example of use of this tech, it also shows how it could be abused by people who should CERTAINLY know better! Even with fancy contracts and NDA's, didn't stop or even slow down someone with questionable intentions. And the FAA thinks that "regulat'in" is going to work?

From what I know of the guy and brief contact, it doesn't surprise me one bit. Hope the feds have a field day with him. Lying about the passes and the part about the Russian National should get him one of them "Don't pass go, go directly to jail" trips. What an idiot. Also, what do you need the passes for anyway! It is like they say "Stupid can't be fixed".

On a different note the DJI gimbal underneath the S800, a zenmuse I imagine, seems to be having trouble keeping the horizon level.


Wayne Mann

Simply not done.

If client insists that no copies of the footage should be kept with you and you have agreed to that, then stick to your agreement. Whether that is NDA with high profile agencies or whether it is just for a normal corporate, one has to stick to the agreement. It is highly unethical in his part.

And misrepresenting someone's nationality is not a joke.