NASA Astronaut Shares Image of Kaaba from Space

December 4, 2025

Astronaut Donald Pettit photographs Kaaba from the International Space Station, with the illuminated Makkah city visible as a distinct bright.

NASA Astronaut Captures Striking Image of Mecca from Space

Photo via Donald Pettit

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Key Takeaways

Pettit currently aboard ISS on his fourth spaceflight
NASA astronaut Donald Pettit photographs Makkah from space
Kaaba appears as bright central point in night-time image

HOUSTON — NASA astronaut Donald R. Pettit has captured a remarkable nighttime image of Makkah city from the International Space Station with the Kaaba. The photograph, taken from approximately 250 miles above Earth.

Kaaba from Space 2025 December Don Pettit — Photo by Donald Pettit

Astronaut Donald Pettit, currently serving as a flight engineer aboard the ISS as part of Expedition 71/72, utilized specialized photography equipment to capture the detailed image during a night pass over Saudi Arabia.

Pettit, known for his scientific photography from space, has previously documented cities, natural phenomena, and experimental procedures throughout his 590-day career in orbit.

Selected by NASA in 1996, Pettit holds a doctorate in chemical engineering and previously worked as a staff scientist at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

His current mission, launched September 11, 2024, focuses on advancing in-orbit manufacturing, water sanitization, and microgravity fire research—all critical technologies for future deep-space exploration.