Dubai’s iconic landmarks and residential areas were captured in a breathtaking image taken by United Arab Emirates (UAE) astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi, who is currently on a six-month space mission to the International Space Station (ISS). The image was shared on Twitter by Al Neyadi, and later reposted by Dubai's Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed. The photograph shows Dubai's Palm Jumeirah, Jebel Ali, and residential areas such as the Jumeirah Village Circle illuminated by artificial lights at night.
"Dubai shines almost as bright as the stars up here," Al Neyadi wrote in his tweet. The picture has received over 10,000 likes collectively on both accounts, with many users calling it "stunning," "beautiful," and "incredible." Sheikh Hamdan tweeted, "An awe-inspiring photograph of Dubai taken by Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi from the space station paints a picture of the nation’s extraordinary achievements both on Earth and beyond.”
The image not only showcases the beauty of Dubai from space but also highlights the UAE's commitment to innovation and excellence. "This photograph is not only a stunning work of art, but a reminder of the UAE's commitment to innovation and excellence. We should all be proud of our country's accomplishments, both on Earth and in space," one user commented. Another user praised Al Neyadi's photography skills, saying, "It looks absolutely gigantic. A great shot! Very well done."
In addition to taking stunning photographs, Al Neyadi recently made history by becoming the first Arab to perform a spacewalk. He underwent over 55 hours of training at NASA's Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (NBL) in preparation for spacewalks. Al Neyadi's mission to the ISS is for six months, during which he and his team will conduct experiments ranging from human cell growth in space to controlling combustible materials in microgravity.
The UAE has made significant strides in space exploration in recent years. In 2019, the country launched its first astronaut, Hazzaa Al Mansoori, to the ISS, marking a major achievement for the nation. The UAE also launched its first Mars mission, the Hope Probe, in July 2020, which successfully reached the red planet's orbit earlier this year.