The UAE has long been a firm favourite among astronauts and satellite operators looking to beam picture-perfect images from space back down to Earth.
Remarkable landmarks such as Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah and Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi are among the large-scale attractions visible from space.
Most recently, US astronaut Shane Kimbrough, who is currently commanding the International Space Station, shared images of the Dubai International Airport and the Emirates Golf Club.
However, space travellers have been capturing the stunning sights of the Emirates for nearly a decade, reflecting a rise in development of skyscrapers and unique structures in the country.
Astronaut Scott Kelly had shared an image of The Palm Jumeirah in 2015.
“Good afternoon, Dubai. You look much different than when I was there 25 years ago,” he said.
In 2016, Mr Kelly shared a night-time image of the landmark.
“Dubai at night always beautiful and recognisable from space. Just as stunning up close. Enjoying the city's lights on Earth tonight,” he said.
Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir, who travelled to space with Emirati astronaut Maj Hazza Al Mansouri, shared an image of Abu Dhabi in 2019.
She trained alongside Maj Al Mansouri for her first trip to space and spent 205 days on the station.
“The very first astronaut from the United Arab Emirates launched to space this year – in the same rocket as me. Thinking about my new colleagues and friends [Maj Al Mansouri and fellow Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi] made my view even more spectacular. Goodnight, Abu Dhabi,” she tweeted.
Mr Kimbrough tweeted back in June: “When you see these palm trees from space, you know you are looking at Dubai.”
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet, who is currently in the ISS, looked ahead to Expo 2020 Dubai.
“One hundred days until the World Expo opens there. The French pavilion is set to be on point. I might be involved in some way,” he said.
Some of Sharjah’s landmarks also stand out from space, including its largest mosque, Sharjah Mosque, and its Expo Centre.
Fascinating views of the country can also be seen on Google Earth, which offers images created with a mix of satellite and aerial shots.
Remarkable images of the Middle East from space – in pictures
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On November 26 2020, an astronaut captured this photo of the northwest coastline of Saudi Arabia, home to 260 coral reef species. The image shows the Red Sea on the right, a lagoon in the middle and the coral reef on the left side. All photos courtesy of Earth Observatory at Nasa -
UAE’s first astronaut in space, Hazza Al Mansouri, captured this photo of the Emirates during his eight-day trip on the International Space Station. Courtesy: Hazza Al Mansouri Twitter -
Kuwait photographed from space during the night. The Arabian Gulf is on the top right side and the Kuwait Bay is on the left. -
Thunderclouds march past the Al Qassim region of central Saudi Arabia on April 13, 2016. Nasa reported the storm clouds were likely related to the heavy rainfall and flooding in Yemen during that time. -
An astronaut captured a photograph of the port city in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in 2017. -
The Arabian Gulf photographed from the space station -
A dusty atmosphere over central Saudi Arabia in 2014. The dunes in Riyadh are visible from space -
Nasa astronaut Scott Kelly captured an image of Dubai’s lights during the night. Courtesy: Scott Kelly Twitter -
A dust plume surging over the Red Sea and reaching Saudi Arabia in 2013. The Nile River is visible on the top left side of the image. -
Turkish city of Istanbul at night -
The Pearl-Qatar, a man-made island in Doha, is visible from space. An astronaut captured this photograph in 2017 -
The city of Madinah in Saudi Arabia -
The Levant region captured from space -
Es Safa, a basaltic volcanic field in southeast of Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2010. It is the largest volcanic field on the Arabian tectonic plate. -
Port of Aden in Yemen -
The Strait of Tiran, which separates the Gulf of Aqaba from the Red Sea, captured from space in 2013 -
The southeastern margin of the Empty Quarter, also known as the Ar Rub’ al Khali, in Oman. An astronaut took this photo in 2011 -
Lake Dukan, shaped almost like a Christmas tree, in Iraq photographed from space in 2018. -
A dust storm over the Arabian gulf in August, 2008 -
Damascus, Syria, photographed from space in 2013
