News
French astronaut takes photo of Expo 2020 Dubai site from ISS
French astronaut Thomas Pesquet took a photo of the Expo 2020 Dubai site from the International Space Station (ISS), during his 200-day mission which launched from Florida, US.
During a Q&A session organized by France Pavilion on Friday at Expo 2020 Dubai, Pesquet responded to a number of questions from growing food in zero gravity to installing solar arrays (systems of multiple solar panels) on the International Space System (ISS).
“Before the mission starts, there is a lot of travelling around the world to different space agencies,” Pesquet, who was the first person from France to command the ISS, said of his second mission. “We have to train for every kind of emergency, such as how to deal with a fire, which reacts very differently in zero gravity.”
Not only did he have to be familiar with all the systems in place, but he and his crew of four – NASA astronauts Megan MacArthur and Shane Kimbrough, and Japanese astronaut Aki Hoshide – needed to ensure the maintenance of the ISS. Intense daily physical training was also essential in preparation for zero gravity, which causes muscle loss. But the preparation was worth it, he said. “You move by floating onboard ISS, like you dreamt as a child. It looks like a sci-fi movie or a maze in 3D,” Pesquet added. “You can move up and down – everywhere – so it takes a few days to adjust.”
In their free time, the crew would look through the windows and take time-lapse photos. “It was incredible to admire the beauty unravel in front of us – to see the different colours of deserts and shapes of snow glaciers. It’s amusing to see streets of famous cities. I took a photo of Expo in Dubai,” Pasquet said.
“The wonderful thing about space is that there are no borders,” he added. “We may all be from different countries and cultures but we are all on the same side. ISS is a good example of people from around the world cooperating and working together. And we need to use those values for the future of humanity.”
The UAE-Oman railway project, officially known as Hafeet Rail, has reached 40 % completion, marking a major milestone in one of the region’s most ambitious transport initiatives.
Once operational, the cross-border rail line will connect Abu Dhabi with Sohar in just 1 hour and 40 minutes, while journeys from Al Ain to Sohar will take only 47 minutes.
First modern cross-border train in the region
Announced in 2023, the project is a joint venture between Oman Rail, Etihad Rail, and Mubadala.
Spanning 303km, the railway will be the first modern cross-border train in the Arab world, carrying both passengers and cargo between the UAE and Oman.
Route and speed
The line will run from the UAE’s existing rail network in Al Wathba to Sohar’s port, passing through varied terrain including deserts, valleys, and mountains alongside Jebel Hafeet.
- Train speed: up to 200 km/h
- Route length (main section): approx. 238km
- Travel time: significantly reduced between key cities
Major engineering works
The project includes:
- 2,500m of tunnels through mountainous terrain
- 21 overbridges and 39 underpasses
- Viaducts and bridges to ensure smooth, uninterrupted rail flow
These features will help maintain efficient travel across challenging landscapes.
Freight services between nations
Beyond passenger travel, Hafeet Rail is expected to create an integrated logistics network, strengthening trade and economic ties between the UAE and Oman. Freight locomotives will be used to power cargo services across the network, helping to strengthen regional logistics, trade flows, and supply chain efficiency between the two Gulf countries.
The project is valued at around $3 billion and is expected to play a major role in enhancing connectivity and economic integration across the region.
While construction is progressing across multiple locations, no official completion date has yet been announced.
His Highness Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced the launch of the Dubai Metro Gold Line, a major new infrastructure project set to expand the emirate’s transport network.
The 24-kilometre line, with an estimated cost of Dh 34 billion, will pass through 15 key strategic areas, serving around 1.5 million residents and connecting to 55 major real estate developments currently under construction.
Key route and connectivity
The new line will run from Al Ghubaiba in the north to Jumeirah Golf Estates, linking historic and emerging parts of the city.
- Total stations: 18
- Fully underground line
- Intersections with existing Red and Green Metro Lines
- Integration with Etihad Rail passenger stations in Meydan and Jumeirah Golf Estates
Boost to metro network
The Gold Line will increase the Dubai Metro’s overall length by 25%, significantly improving connectivity across the city.
The project is scheduled for completion on September 9, 2032.
Sheikh Mohammed said the project is part of Dubai’s ongoing ambition to become the world’s best city to live in, with continued investment in infrastructure and mobility.
The new line is expected to play a key role in reducing congestion, improving travel times, and supporting urban growth across Dubai.
Inside the UAE-Oman Hafeet Rail project now 40% complete
New Dubai Metro Gold Line to expand network by 25%
