Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates on the Persian Gulf coast, is pictured from the International Space Station as it soared 257 miles above the Middle East.

iss072e447465 (Jan. 2, 2025) --- United Arab Emirates' most populous and well-lit city of Dubai, with its famous artificial island Palm Jumeirah, is pictured at approximately 10:03 p.m. local time from the International Space Station as it orbited 256 miles above the Persian Gulf.

iss072e518049 (Jan. 21, 2025) --- A series of islands on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates near its capital of Abu Dhabi are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above.

iss072e574768 (Jan. 29, 2025) --- Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and its distinct artificial islands of Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah, and The World Islands, on the coast of the Persian Gulf, are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above.

iss072e447461 (Jan. 2, 2025) --- The well-lit island city and capital of United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi on the Persian Gulf with a population of about 1.57 million people, is pictured at approximately 10:03 p.m. local time from the International Space Station as it orbited 256 miles above.

iss073e0134580 (May 22, 2025) --- Abu Dhabi, the capital and second most populous city in the United Arab Emirates with a population of about 1.57 million on the Persian Gulf, is pictured at approximately 10:44 p.m. local time from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above the Middle East.

iss073e0003324 (April 30, 2025) --- (From top to bottom) The United Arab Emirates' two most populous cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi with a combined population of nearly 5.8 million, along with the artificial Palm Islands and the World Islands, on the coast of the Persian Gulf are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above.

iss073e0247372 (June 10, 2025) --- Artificial islands built on the Persian Gulf coast of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 258 miles above the Arabian Sea. Featured promoniently from left, are the man-made archipelagos of Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumierah, and The World islands.

Earth observation taken by the Expedition 42 crew aboard the ISS. Palm and World Islands, United Arab Emirates. Image was released by astronaut on Instagram.

iss073e0134584 (May 22, 2025) --- Dubai, the United Arab Emirates' largest city with a population af 3.94 million on the Persian Gulf coast, is pictured at approximately 11:44 p.m. local time from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above the Arabian Peninsula. Featured prominently at left center, is the artifical island of Palm Jumeirah.

STS039-71-088 (28 April-6 May 1991) --- A handheld 70mm frame of the southern Persian Gulf area. The island in the middle of the frame is Al Jirab, 30 miles west of Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. On the mainland beaches opposite the island, a thick and continuous black fringe of oil can be seen as a line. Photo experts studying the STS 39 photography have not yet ascertained the source of the oil. They disclosed that if the oil does in fact stem from damaged Kuwaiti offshore oil fields, the slick has been blown southward at least 460 miles. The city of Tarif is visible in the affected area. Lighter brown slicks can be seen offshore. A causeway joins Al Jirab to the mainland and a dredged ship channel with its associated islands can be seen west of the causeway.

Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, is seen through the door of the Pourtales Library speaking with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine about NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, is seen through the door of the Pourtales Library speaking with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine about NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The Musandam Peninsula is part of Oman, separated from the rest of the country by the United Arab Emirates. This image was acquired by NASA Terra satellite on March 27, 2004.

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (left) and backup Expedition 61 crewmates Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (center) and Tom Marshburn of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 11 in front of the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. They are the backups to the prime crew, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (left) and backup Expedition 61 crewmates Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (center) and Tom Marshburn of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 11 in front of the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. They are the backups to the prime crew, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

iss069e003933 (April 17, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi prepares an Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or spacesuit, inside the International Space Station's Quest airlock for an upcoming spacewalk.

United Arab Emirates Space Agency Director General Mohamed Al Ahbabi meets with NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, left, meets with United Arab Emirates Space Agency Director General Mohamed Al Ahbabi, right during the 70th International Astronautical Congress, Thursday, Oct. 24, 2019, in Washington. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, third from left, speaks with the Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, third from right, about NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, right, speaks with the Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, just after a meeting to discuss NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine is seen through the door of the Pourtales Library, speaking with the Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, about NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, second from left, speaks with the Director General of the United Arab Emirates Space Agency (UAESA), Dr. Mohamed Al Ahbabi, second from right, about NASA’s plans to land humans on the Moon by 2024, UAESA’S human spaceflight objectives, and prospective cooperation involving the International Space Station and exploration of the Moon and Mars, at the Space Symposium, Wednesday, April 10, 2019 in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Photo Credit: (NASA/Aubrey Gemignani)

The Palm Islands are artificial islands in Dubai, United Arab emirates on which major commercial and residential structures are being built. NASA Terra spacecraft acquired this image on November 17 and December 10, 2008.

NASA Terra spacecraft shows the Rub al Khali, one of the largest sand deserts in the world, encompassing most of the southern third of the Arabian Peninsula; it includes parts of Oman, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

A table is set prior to an Iftar dinner hosted by UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

Gifts are seen prior to an Iftar dinner hosted by UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates (left) and Expedition 61 crewmates Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos (center) and Jessica Meir of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 11 in front of their Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. They will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates undergoes a pressure and leak check of his Russian Sokol launch and entry suit Sept. 11 for a fit check aboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. Almansoori and Expedition 61 crewmembers Jessica Meir of NASA and Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates suits up Sept. 11 for a fit check aboard the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. Almansoori, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

In the Integration Building at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates (left) and Expedition 61 crewmates Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos (center) and Jessica Meir of NASA (right) pose for pictures Sept. 11 in front of their Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft. They will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome for a mission on the International Space Station. NASA/Victor Zelentsov

From left to right, NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib are seen prior to an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

A table setting for NASA astronaut Frank Rubio is seen during an Iftar dinner hosted by UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, right, presents a gift to UAE (United Arab Emirates) Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib following an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, and guests are seen during an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

iss069e004371 (April 19, 2023) --- The Yemeni cities of Little Aden and Aden, on the coast of the Arabian Sea near the Red Sea, were pictured by Expedition 69 Flight Engineer and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi as the International Space Station orbited 257 miles above.

iss069e003275 (April 13, 2023) --- The middle eastern nation of Oman and its Dhofar mountains on the coast of the Arabian Sea were pictured by UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi as the International Space Station orbited 257 miles above.

View of UAE (United Arab Emirates) Sultan Alneyadi working with Fluidics Experiment in the Columbus Module during Expedition 69.

The flags of the United States of America, Russia and the United Arab Emirates are seen during a press conference, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. Spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, Expedition 61 cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA will launch September 25th on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2019e052902 - At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station raise the flags of Russia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan Sept. 12 in a traditional ceremony. Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

The flags of Russia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Kazakhstan and Roscosmos fly at the launch pad as the Soyuz rocket is raised into vertical position on the launch pad, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 61 crewmembers Jessica Meir of NASA, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos, and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates will launch September 25th on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

The flags of Russia, United Arab Emirates, United States of America, Kazakhstan and Roscosmos fly at the launch pad as the Soyuz rocket is raised into vertical position on the launch pad, Monday, Sept. 23, 2019 at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Expedition 61 crewmembers Jessica Meir of NASA, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos, and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates will launch September 25th on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2019e052901 - At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station raise the flags of Russia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates and Kazakhstan Sept. 12 in a traditional ceremony. Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

STS-35 Earth observation taken aboard Columbia, Orbiter Vehicle (OV) 102, is of the Persian Gulf area. Major cities and oilfields of the countries of Saudi Arabia (foreground), Iraq (top left), Iran (top center and top right), Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and a portion of the United Arab Emirates are visible in this scene. The cities are the large whitish areas of city lights. Flares characteristic of the Mid-East oil field practices are visible both onshore and offshore throughout the scene. Major cities identifiable are in Iraq - Baghdad, Basra, and Faw; in Qatar - Ab Dawhah; in Kuwait - Kuwait City; in Saudi Arabia - Riyadh, Al Jubayl, Dharan, Al Huf, Ad Dilam and Al Hariq; and Bahrain and its associated causeway to the mainland.

iss064e039348 (Feb. 26, 2021) --- Doha, Qatar, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above the United Arab Emirates. Credit: Roscosmos

Management from Roscosmos, NASA and the United Arab Emirates participate in State Commission meeting to approve the Soyuz launch of spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA to the International Space Station, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. The trio will launch September 25th on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

jsc2019e051814 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the next crew to launch to the International Space Station reports to Russian, American and United Arab Emirates space officials Aug. 29 during their final qualification exams for flight. From left to right are United Arab Emirates spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori, and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA. They will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft...NASA/Beth Weissinger.

Backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates is seen during a press conference, Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2019 at the Cosmonaut Hotel in Baikonur, Kazakhstan. spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, Expedition 61 cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA will launch September 25th on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome to the International Space Station. Photo Credit: (NASA/Bill Ingalls)

From left to right, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations Karen Feldstein, and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio view a scale model of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque prior to an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, second from left, delivers remarks during an Iftar dinner with with UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, and guests, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

From left to right, NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, and NASA astronaut Frank Rubio are seen prior to an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

NASA Associate Administrator for International and Interagency Relations Karen Feldstein, left, speaks with UAE (United Arab Emirates) Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, during an Iftar dinner with UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronauts Stephen Bowen and Frank Rubio, and guests, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and guests are seen during an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, second from right, delivers remarks during an Iftar dinner with NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and guests, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and guests are seen during an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, second from right, delivers remarks during an Iftar dinner with NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and guests, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, second from right, delivers remarks during an Iftar dinner with NASA astronauts Frank Rubio and Stephen Bowen, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and guests, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Bowen and Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

From left to right, UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, NASA astronaut Frank Rubio, UAE Ambassador to the US and Minister of State, Yousef Al Otaib, and NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen are seen prior to an Iftar dinner, Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the UAE Embassy in Washington. Alneyadi spent 186 days aboard the International Space Station as part of Expedition 69; while Rubio set a new record for the longest single spaceflight by a U.S. astronaut, spending 371 days in orbit on an extended mission spanning Expeditions 68 and 69. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)

iss069e005102 (April 24, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi is pictured trying on his Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or spacesuit, and testing it ahead of a spacewalk planned for Friday, April 28. Alneyadi, along with NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen, will spend about six-and-a-half hours in the vacuum of space continuing to upgrade the International Space Station’s power generation system readying the orbiting lab for its next set of roll-out solar arrays.

iss069e005093 (April 24, 2023) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Stephen Bowen is pictured trying on his Extravehicular Mobility Unit, or spacesuit, and testing it ahead of a spacewalk planned for Friday, April 28. Bowen, along with UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi, will spend about six-and-a-half hours in the vacuum of space continuing to upgrade the International Space Station’s power generation system readying the orbiting lab for its next set of roll-out solar arrays.

iss069e005734 (April 28, 2023) --- NASA astronaut Stephen Bowen and UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut Sultan Alneyadi are pictured in their Extravehicular Mobility Units, or spacesuits, on the International Space Station's starboard truss structure during a spacewalk. The duo would spend seven hours and one minute in the vacuum of space routing cables and installing insulation readying the orbital outpost for its next set of roll-out solar arrays due to be installed after their delivery on the next SpaceX Dragon cargo mission.

iss069e032977 (July 18, 2023) --- The city lights of the oasis city of Al Ain in the United Arab Emirates are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 260 miles above southern Iran near the coast of the Strait of Hormuz.

iss069e033385 (July 19, 2023) -- As the International Space Station orbited roughly 260 miles above Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi snapped this photograph.

iss065e000773 (April 19, 2021) --- A manufacturing site on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates near Abu Dhabi is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 262 miles above.

iss066e153976 (Feb. 26, 2022) --- The city lights of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above the Middle Eastern nation.

iss068e067448 (March 4, 2023) --- Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi from UAE (United Arab Emirates) is pictured inside the Kibo laboratory module during his first week aboard the International Space Station.

iss069e062399 (Aug. 18, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi works on space biology research hardware located inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

iss064e046338 (March 24, 2021) --- The strategically important shipping route of the Strait of Hormuz is pictured separating the nations of the United Arab Emirates and Iran. It also separates the main water bodies of the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman.

iss069e001193 (April 10, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi poses for a portrait with a new haircut aboard the International Space Station.

iss069e000263 (March 31, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi seemingly juggles food canisters and packages from the UAE in the microgravity environment of the International Space Station.

iss069e037324 (July 26, 2023) -- Earth's Moon in first quarter phase as United Arab Emirates (UAE) Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi captured this photo aboard the International Space Station.

iss064e029032 (Feb. 4, 2021) --- The desert city of Dubai, on the Persian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 261 miles above.

iss069e029193 (July 5, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi poses for a portrait inside the Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, or BEAM.

Earth observation taken by an Expedition 36 crew member on board the International Space Station (ISS). Per Twitter message: Evening storms over Oman & United Arab Emirates.

iss060e081230 (9/27/2019) --- A view of United ARAB Emirates (UAE) Spaceflight Participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori with the NanoRacks Module 82 investigation aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

iss060e015864 (July 27, 2019) --- The SpaceX Dragon space freighter approaches the International Space Station as both spacecraft were orbiting 260 miles above the United Arab Emirates.

iss069e031084 (July 11, 2023) -- United Arab Emirates (UAE) Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi poses for a selfie while taking photos of Earth from the International Space Station.

jsc2019e043005 (June 7, 2019) --- Roscosmos spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates poses for a portrait at the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia.

iss066e153994 (Feb. 26, 2022) --- The city lights of Sharjah and Ajman are pictured during an orbital night pass as the International Space Station orbited 261 miles above the northeastern tip of the United Arab Emirates near the Strait of Hormuz.

iss069e071346 (Aug. 21, 2023) --- Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 262 miles above the Persian Gulf.

iss069e024858 (June 23, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi peers into the International Space Station while working inside the SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft.

iss068e026591 (Dec. 4, 2022) --- The city lights of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the coast of the Persian Gulf are pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited 258 miles above.

iss069e024882 (June 24, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi organizes cables inside the International Space Station's Harmony module.

iss069e019758_alt (June 20, 2023) --- UAE (United Arab Emirates) astronaut and Expedition 69 Flight Engineer Sultan Alneyadi is pictured holding portable breathing gear inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module.

iss063e081369 (Aug. 31, 2020) --- Photographed from the International Space Station at night, the well-lit United Arab Emirates (lower center) is situated at the northeast end of the Arabian Peninsula, with Qatar and Bahrain to the north on the coast of the Persian Gulf.

iss066e126122 (Jan. 26, 2022) --- The United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, pictured from the International Space Station at an altitude of 258 miles, boasts the man-made islands of Palm Jebel Ali, Palm Jumeirah, and the World Islands.

jsc2019e052152 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, prime spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates (left) and his backup, Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (right) pose for pictures Sept. 5 during a pre-flight news conference. Almansoori will launch with Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...Credit/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2019e052907 - At the Baikonur Museum in the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station discuss the workings of a Soyuz launch pad Sept. 12 with a museum official during a traditional pre-launch tour. Spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (left), Tom Marshburn of NASA (center) and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (right) are the backups to the prime Expedition 61 crew, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2019e052906 - In the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station pose for pictures Sept. 12 in front of a statue of Sergei Korolev, the Russian great designer, as part of traditional pre-launch activities. Tom Marshburn of NASA (left), Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (center) and spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates are the backups to the prime Expedition 61 crew, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2019e052903 - At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station meet with local Kazakh officials Sept. 12 as part of traditional pre-launch activities. On the right are backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Tom Marshburn of NASA. They are the backups to the prime Expedition 61 crew, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2019e052243 - With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, the next crew to launch to the International Space Station and their backups walk through Red Square in Moscow Sept. 5 as part of traditional pre-launch activities. From right to left are Expedition 61 crewmembers Jessica Meir of NASA and Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and backups, Tom Marshburn of NASA and Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates. Meir, Skripochka and Almansoori will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2019e052235 - Inside the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station pose for pictures in front of the Tsar Cannon Sept. 5 as part of pre-flight activities. From left to right are the backup crewmembers, Tom Marshburn of NASA, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates and the prime crewmembers, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA. Meir, Skripochka and Almansoori will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2019e051815 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, the backups to the next crew to launch to the International Space Station posed for pictures Aug. 29 during the first day of crew qualification exams. From left to right are backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Tom Marshburn of NASA. They are the backups to the prime crew, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA, who will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft...NASA/Beth Weissinger.

jsc2019e052900 - At their Cosmonaut Hotel crew quarters in Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station attend flag-raising ceremonies Sept. 12. From left to right are the prime crewmembers, Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and their backups, Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Tom Marshburn of NASA. Almansoori, Skripochka and Meir will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2019e052237 - Inside the grounds of the Kremlin in Moscow, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station pose for pictures Sept. 5 as part of pre-flight activities. From left to right are the prime crewmembers, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA, and their backups, Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Tom Marshburn of NASA. Meir, Skripochka and Almansoori will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.

jsc2019e052745 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, Expedition 61 crewmember Jessica Meir of NASA (left) chats with backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (center) ad prime spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates (right) Sept. 10 before departing for their launch site at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Meir, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Almansoori will launch on Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Beth Weissinger

jsc2019e051817 - At the Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Star City, Russia, backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates listens to a reporter’s question Aug. 29 during the crew’s qualification exams. Al-Neyadi is one of the backups to the prime crew, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA, who will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Beth Weissinger.

jsc2019e053741 - At the Baikonur Cosmodrome Museum in Kazakhstan, the prime and backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station display a flag bearing the insignia of their Soyuz mission Sept. 20 during pre-launch activities. From left to right are the prime crew, spaceflight participant Hazzaa ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and Expedition 61 crewmembers Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and backup crewmembers Tom Marshburn of NASA, Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos and Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates. Meir, Skripochka and Almansoori will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov

jsc2019e052904 - In the town of Baikonur, Kazakhstan, the backup crewmembers for the next launch to the International Space Station pose for pictures Sept. 12 in front of a statue of Yuri Gagarin, the first human to fly in space as part of traditional pre-launch activities. Backup spaceflight participant Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates (left), Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos (center) and Tom Marshburn of NASA (right) are the backups to the prime Expedition 61 crew, Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos and Jessica Meir of NASA and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates, who will launch Sept. 25 on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...NASA/Victor Zelentsov.

jsc2019e052236 - With St. Basil’s Cathedral serving as a backdrop, the next crew to launch to the International Space Station and their backups walk through Red Square in Moscow Sept. 5 as part of traditional pre-launch activities. From right to left are Expedition 61 crewmembers Jessica Meir of NASA and Oleg Skripochka of Roscosmos, spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates and backups, Tom Marshburn of NASA, Sultan Al-Neyadi of the United Arab Emirates and Sergey Ryzhikov of Roscosmos. Meir, Skripochka and Almansoori will launch Sept. 25 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on the Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft for a mission on the International Space Station...Andrey Shelepin/Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center.