Astronaut Thomas Pesquet shares stunning photos of Uluru from the International Space Station

‘The heartbeat of Australia’: French astronaut shares incredible photos of Uluru from the International Space Station

  • French astronaut Thomas Pesquet shares awesome photos from space of Uluru
  • Captured images of Australian landmark onboard International Space Station 
  • ISS commander described Uluru on his second space mission as awe-inspiring

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Incredible images have emerged of one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks from space.

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has shared his stunning photos of Uluru in the Northern Territory captured onboard the International Space Station. 

The ISS commander described the scenes of Uluru on his second space mission as awe-inspiring. 

‘Uluru in the morning, this sacred site is understandably revered when you see it like this from space,’ Pesquet captioned the Instagram post.  

French astronaut Thomas Pesquet has captured stunning images of Uluru from space

‘The sandstone rock is known for changing colour, and from space I agree a sunrise or sunset changes its tone, glowing in the different lighting. 

‘The shadows in this picture made it easier to spot and helps it stand out, but the huge sandstone structure that is almost three kilometres across is hard to miss. 

‘Uluru continues underground for a large part, like an iceberg, and is a watering hole for wildlife.

The photos were inundated with comments and brought back memories for many who have been to the much loved tourist attraction.

‘It almost looks like it is floating,’ one woman commented.

One man added: ‘Some say it’s the heartbeat of Australia & who am I to argue.’

Many viewers suggested the iconic landmark (pictured) looked like it was floating

Many viewers suggested the iconic landmark (pictured) looked like it was floating

The first Frenchman to appointed ISS commander, Pesquet has been sharing his stunning images of Earth on his Instagram account since the space mission began on April 23.

His latest photos include Tanzania’s Kisigo River, French island Belle Île, Africa, the Great Wall of China and Egypt capital Cairo along with stunning footage of a cloudy Bahamas.

Pesquet was also recently responsible for launching Coldplay’s latest single from space.

The sacred indigenous site Uluru (pictured) is visited by thousands of tourists each year

The sacred indigenous site Uluru (pictured) is visited by thousands of tourists each year

Formerly known as Ayres Rock, thousands of tourists flocked to the Northern Territory to climb Uluru each year before it was banned in October 2019.

Thousands still visit Uluru, which is regarded sacred by the local Anangu people.

Hundreds flocked to the landmark in March after torrential rain created stunning waterfalls that cascaded the world-famous rock and changing the colour of its red face.

The incredibly rare event was caused by almost 50mm of rain which fell on the desert area in the Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park in three days.

Astronaut Thomas Pesquet is currently onboard International Space Station as commander

Astronaut Thomas Pesquet is currently onboard International Space Station as commander

WHY DID ABORIGINAL ELDERS ASK FOR A BAN ON CLIMBING ULURU? 

It was announced in November 2017 that climbing Uluru, considered a sacred site by the local Anangu people, would be banned from October 26, 2019.

Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park’s board of management, made up of a majority of Aboriginal traditional owners, unanimously decided to close the climb.

Traditional owner and board chairman Sammy Wilson said on behalf of the Anangu people it was time to do so.

‘We’ve talked about it for so long and now we’re able to close the climb,’ Mr Wilson said. ‘It’s about protection through combining two systems, the government and Anangu.

Thousands of tourists have flocked to Uluru for the last chance to climb Uluru

Thousands of tourists have flocked to Uluru for the last chance to climb Uluru

‘This decision is for both Anangu and non-Anangu together to feel proud about; to realise, of course it’s the right thing to close it.

‘The land has law and culture. We welcome tourists here. Closing the climb is not something to feel upset about but a cause for celebration. Let’s come together, let’s close it together.

‘If I travel to another country and there is a sacred site, an area of restricted access, I don’t enter or climb it, I respect it. It is the same here for Anangu. We welcome tourists here. We are not stopping tourism, just this activity.’

On 26 October 1985 Uluru and Kata Tjuta – formerly known as the Olgas – were handed back to the Anangu people.