30 remarkable images of the UAE from space

Landmarks and natural wonders have been captured by astronauts and satellites for many years

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

From salt domes and jagged mountains to man-made lakes and unique structures – all seven emirates of the UAE have been captured in stunning images taken from space.

While Dubai's Palm Jumeirah is one of the most photographed landmarks from the International Space Station, there are many more remarkable structures and natural wonders throughout the Emirates that have been captured by astronauts and satellites over the years.

The National has highlighted 30 of the most eye-catching views of the UAE from space.

Nasa's Earth Observatory has images of weather occurrences that are common in the Middle Eastern region, such as dust storms.

KhalifaSat, the first Emirati-built satellite, has captured some of the most famous landmarks in the UAE over the years, including Sharjah’s largest mosque and the Jebel Jais mountain in Ras Al Khaimah.

Astronauts have captured images of the Arabian Gulf, including the Emirates, from the space station, especially during the night when the country is well-lit.

Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir took a photograph of Abu Dhabi two months after Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri returned to Earth from his eight-day stay on the ISS.

“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 (Hazza Al Mansouri and Sultan Al Neyadi) made my view even more spectacular. Goodnight, Abu Dhabi,” she tweeted at the time.

Stunning images of the Middle East from space - in pictures 

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