Here's another speculation: what if this point light source is sun, just outside of image frame? What happens with pole shadows in that case, do they still fit?
Do you think that point can be moved outside the frame? The source of shadows that you pointed out earlier seems to indicate it cannot, especially piece 15.
Possibly only a trick of perspective is making it appear inside the frame. But I suspect that it will not resolve because there is a plane that the camera face lies on. For the Sun to appear behind that plane (and within the frame), the plane of light onto the pole would never intersect at close range:
This is my description of that plane, but it is not accurate, that plane might actually be tilted more and allow an intersection with the Sun angle much sooner.

If the camera face plane is tilted more than the Sun angle, then maybe at some high elevation, the Sun will be behind that plane, this would dictate that the drone must also be at a very high elevation. Has there been a limit to the hugeness or elevation of the drone?
My 3D skills involve much mindless fiddling right now, but I am learning slowly.
Yes I did try that, the picture I showed on page 1 has a point light.
I was thinking more of an experiment with the light within the frame of the picture. Of course it would have to be a tiny bulb so that it is more of a point source. Especially to resolve the piece 15 shadow which appears to be missing from your photo.
I am trying really hard to refrain from thinking of alternative theories, but here are some points that should probably go into the speculation thread:
- CARET specified "Three-dimensional image recorder/projector"
- The drones are reported to move unnaturally fast (jerky)
- The BB drone disappeared
Could the drones actually be a projection?
A projection consists of light and dark areas to make it look real, could the projector be trying to simulate real Sun position?
I know that is too easy of an explanation, but if we throw out that idea, then I think that the CARET description of 3D projection would also have to be thrown out. Sort of like an all or nothing scenario.