The photograph was taken during the International Astronautical Congress held in Dubai. ESA EarthObservation/Twitter
The photograph was taken during the International Astronautical Congress held in Dubai. ESA EarthObservation/Twitter
The photograph was taken during the International Astronautical Congress held in Dubai. ESA EarthObservation/Twitter
The photograph was taken during the International Astronautical Congress held in Dubai. ESA EarthObservation/Twitter

Satellite captures stunning image of UAE to mark world’s largest space conference in Dubai


Sarwat Nasir
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A European satellite has captured a remarkable image of the UAE to celebrate the world’s largest space conference taking place in Dubai this week.

The image from space, captured by the European Space Agency’s Sentinel 3 satellite, was posted on Twitter on Thursday.

The agency described the picture as “a Sentinel 3 view of the Dubai area, where the International Astronautical Congress is currently taking place”.

It is the first time an Arab country is hosting the International Astronautical Congress, which was first held in 1950.

More than 4,000 visitors from all over the world are attending the five-day event, which is at the Dubai World Trade Centre until October 29.

Heads of some of the biggest space agencies, including the US, Russia, Japan and India, are in attendance at the congress.

Leading private companies such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Blue Origin and Airbus, also spoke about their plans in space exploration.

The congress creates opportunities for space agencies and private companies to form new partnerships.

The UAE Space Agency signed an agreement with Russian space agency Roscosmos to increase partnership in areas such as human spaceflight and protecting intellectual property.

Meanwhile, the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre formed a new partnership with Airbus on the Emirates Lunar Mission.

UAE landmarks from space – in pictures

  • US astronaut Scott Kelly shared this night-time image of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah in 2016. Photo: Scott Kelly Twitter
    US astronaut Scott Kelly shared this night-time image of Dubai's Palm Jumeirah in 2016. Photo: Scott Kelly Twitter
  • The Deira clock tower roundabout, which is one of Dubai's oldest landmarks. Photo: Google Earth
    The Deira clock tower roundabout, which is one of Dubai's oldest landmarks. Photo: Google Earth
  • Satellite imagery shows Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, World Islands and Palm Deira. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    Satellite imagery shows Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, World Islands and Palm Deira. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Abu Dhabi International Airport seen from space. Photo: European Space Agency
    Abu Dhabi International Airport seen from space. Photo: European Space Agency
  • UAE satellite KhalifaSat captured the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    UAE satellite KhalifaSat captured the Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World captured in satellite imagery. Photo: European Space Agency
    Abu Dhabi's Ferrari World captured in satellite imagery. Photo: European Space Agency
  • The Museum of the Future in Dubai can be seen in the centre of the image. Photo: Google Earth
    The Museum of the Future in Dubai can be seen in the centre of the image. Photo: Google Earth
  • Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Photo: European Space Agency
    Sheikh Zayed Bridge in Abu Dhabi. Photo: European Space Agency
  • Dubai's man-made Love Lake, captured by KhalifaSat satellite. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    Dubai's man-made Love Lake, captured by KhalifaSat satellite. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • The Expo 2020 Dubai site in 2017. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai Twitter
    The Expo 2020 Dubai site in 2017. Photo: Expo 2020 Dubai Twitter
  • Dubai's Palm Jumeirah in 2021. Photo: Shane Kimbrough Twitter
    Dubai's Palm Jumeirah in 2021. Photo: Shane Kimbrough Twitter
  • Dubai International Airport in 2021. Photo: Shane Kimbrough Twitter
    Dubai International Airport in 2021. Photo: Shane Kimbrough Twitter
  • Sharjah's largest mosque captured by UAE satellite KhalifaSat. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
    Sharjah's largest mosque captured by UAE satellite KhalifaSat. Photo: Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre
  • The Expo Centre in Sharjah in 2021. Photo: Google Earth
    The Expo Centre in Sharjah in 2021. Photo: Google Earth
Updated: October 28, 2021, 9:24 AM