UAE space traveller Sultan Al Neyadi may be more than 400km above Earth, but he never feels too far away from home.
The astronaut took a tour of the Arabian Peninsula from the best window seat there is, on board the International Space Station.
Dr Al Neyadi shared footage of the region as seen from space — including the UAE — in his latest message on social media on Wednesday.
He pointed out a number of capitals and cities, including Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, Muscat in Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq and Kuwait, as well as the Emirates.
The recording was taken from an observation module on the station.
“We are currently passing over the Arabian Peninsula,” said Dr Al Neyadi, while narrating the snapshot of Earth.
“It's morning, and there is nothing better than starting the day by admiring our country.”
Dr Al Neyadi is seen opening a window on the cupola to share the “beautiful view” with his social media followers back on Earth.
“As you can see the view is stunning,” he said.
The astronaut from Al Ain looked down at the vast Empty Quarter, before taking a closer look at Liwa, the hometown of his fellow Emirati astronaut, Maj Hazza Al Mansouri.
He then showed the landscapes of Abu Dhabi and Dubai, making mention of the man-made islands Palm Jumeirah, an area regularly captured by astronauts on the ISS.
“We crossed the Arabian Peninsula in a few minutes,” Sultan Al Neyadi said of his guided tour.
The ISS orbits the Earth at a speed of 27,000 kph,
“And it is very quick. This morning I wanted to share these special moments with you as we passed over my country, which I dearly miss, and saw its terrain and beautiful views.”
Dr Al Neyadi marked the start of Ramadan by sharing views of the crescent Moon becoming visible after the Sun set.
He arrived at the orbiting laboratory on March 3 for a six-month mission, the Arab world’s first long-duration space trip.
Dr Al Neyadi has offered the public regular glimpses of life aboard in space on social media.
Sultan Al Neyadi in space - in pictures
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Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has released more images of his historic space walk from the International Space Station on social media. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
On Friday, Dr Al Neyadi became the Arab world's first astronaut to make space walk when he joined US astronaut Steve Bowen on ISS maintenance. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Dr Al Neyadi spent more than six hours outside the space station. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Photos of Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's space walk show him completing what Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre, described as a 'remarkable' accomplishment. @Astro_Alneyadi twitter -
Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut showing water during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Nasa astronaut Frank Rubio gives UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi a haircut on board the International Space Station. Photo: MBRSC -
Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space -
Sultan Al Neyadi shares images of sandstorm in Sahara Desert from space -
Dr Sultan Al Neyadi shared a video showing Cairo from space. Image: Screengrab -
Sultan Al Neyadi shows breathtaking views of the crescent moon from space. -
Astronaut Koichi Wakata and Sultan Al Neyadi inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock. Nasa -
Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE Astronaut during his first ‘ A Call with Space’ video chat with the public held at Dubai Opera in Dubai. Pawan Singh / The National -
Dr Al Neyadi carries out experiments at the Columbus laboratory. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi@Twitter -
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi in the Japanese KIBO module of the ISS. Photo: MBRSC -
UAE astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi has shared his first selfies taken from inside the International Space Station. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter -
The images were snapped in front of the cupola - an observatory on the station - that shows stunning views of the Earth. Photo: Sultan Al Neyadi Twitter -
This photo provided by NASA shows Emerati astronaut Sultan al-Neyadi during an interview at the International Space Station on Tuesday, March 7, 2023. The first Arab astronaut assigned to a long spaceflight is still adjusting to life off the planet, five days after rocketing to the International Space Station. (NASA via AP) -
Sultan Al Neyadi’s, UAE Astronaut, speaking from ISS to UAE leaders. photo: Video screen grab / Nasa -
In this image from NASA TV, the four astronauts including United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, third left gather, during the welcoming ceremony, on the International Space Station, Friday, March 3, 2023. A new crew from the United States, Russia and United Arab Emirates has arrived at the International Space Station. The new arrivals include United Arab Emirates' Sultan al-Neyadi, the first astronaut from the Arab world who will spend an extended time in space. Al-Neyadi is only the second person from the UAE to rocket into orbit. (NASA TV via AP)
