The first Emirati-built satellite has been capturing stunning views across the Arab region since its launch in 2018.
From photos of Dubai’s artificial islands and skyscrapers to the unique landscape and architecture in Saudi Arabia, KhalifaSat has shown how remarkable these structures look from space.
It is the UAE’s third Earth-observation satellite, but is the most advanced one so far. The first two were DubaiSat-1 and DubaiSat-2.
Since launching into space on a Japanese rocket, the 330-kilogram satellite has captured tens of thousands of images, including of landmarks, disaster-struck areas and ones for commercial use.
The National highlights some of the most impressive photos KhalifaSat has captured over the years of the UAE and other Arab countries.
Its lifespan was designed for five years, but the engineers at the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre plan to use it for as long as possible.
An even more advanced version is set to launch next year, on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The MBZ-Sat satellite is expected to be the region’s most powerful Earth-observation satellite.
Named after Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, the satellite weighs about 800 kilograms.
KhalifaSat will remain operational even after the launch of MBZ-Sat and will continue supplying images.
30 stunning images of the UAE from space — in pictures
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The UAE (centre-right) is well-lit during the night and is very visible from space. This image was captured from the International Space Station. Nasa -
Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir shared this image of Abu Dhabi two months after Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri returned to Earth from the space station. Jessica Meir Twitter -
A stunning image of Downtown Dubai taken in 2012 by the Pleiades satellite. The Burj Khalifa is visible. European Space Agency -
The largest mosque in Sharjah captured by Emirati satellite KhaliafSat. Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre -
An image of Al Ain in 1984, when there was not a lot of greenery. Abu Dhabi emirate is now considered a green oasis with a major focus in agriculture. Nasa's Earth Observatory -
The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre counted 45,000 palm trees in Al Ain. The satellite images are helping to monitor the quantity and health of thousands of trees. MBRSC -
Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, seen from space. The emirate is on a peninsula and has many attractive sites, including ancient forts. Zoom Earth -
The Corniche Park in Umm Al Quwain (top) and Municipal Park on the bottom side of the image. Zoom Earth -
KhalifaSat captured Jebel Jais, the highest summit in the UAE which is about 2,000 metres above sea level. It also has the world’s longest zipline. MBRSC -
Fujairah is on the east coast of the UAE and is known for its beaches and the Hajar mountains. The mountainous areas are visible in this image, as well as the Fujairah International Airport and the Port Fujairah on the top right. Zoom Earth -
Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island captured from space in 2010. The island is a major tourist attract with a mix of wildlife, archaeological sites and luxury hotel retreats. Nasa -
Dubai seen from the International Space Station. Nasa -
The Strait of Hormuz separates the UAE and Iran. Nasa -
The UAE captured from space in 2013. Nasa’s Earth Observatory -
Hazza Al Mansouri took this photo of Umm Ghafa in Al Ain from the space station in 2019. It is the village where his colleague and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi grew up. Sultan Al Neyadi twitter -
The Dubai Expo site captured by KhalifaSat in 2019. The much-anticipated event is set to begin on October 1, 2021. MBRSC -
The man-made Love Lake in Dubai’s Al Qudra desert. MBRSC -
Dust blows over the Arabian Gulf in 2013. The UAE is on the right side of this image and Saudi Arabia is on the left. Nasa’s Earth Observatory -
A dust plume over the UAE in 2009. Nasa -
The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured by KhalifaSat. It features a magnificent dome, which measures 86 metres in diameter. MBRSC -
The Copernicus Sentinel 2 mission captured this striking view of Abu Dhabi from space. The dark green patch of land is the Mangrove National Park. Ferrari World can be seen in the centre-right of the image. European Space Agency -
An incredible view of the UAE captured by Hazza Al Mansouri in 2019. Hazza Al Mansouri twitter -
An image of Abu Dhabi taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 423 kilometres above Oman. Nasa -
Planes can be seen parked at Dubai International Airport during the Coronavirus Pandemic in May 2020, when travel was restricted. MBRSC -
KhalifaSat captured this stunning image of Abu Dhabi in 2020. MBRSC -
Another view of the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi from space. MBRSC -
One of the most recent photos of Dubai taken in 2020 from space, showing the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the World Islands. MBRSC -
Mangroves, salt domes, salt flats and coral reefs on the south-west coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi, captured in 2001. Nasa’s Earth Observatory -
The first image captured by KhalifaSat in 2018. It is the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. MBRSC -
A manufacturing site on the Arabian Gulf coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi. Nasa
