Strange markings that were recently spotted in a desert region of Tunisia by cameras aboard the International Space Station (ISS) appear to have a down-to-earth explanation.
A video recently shared online revealed the peculiar markings, which were detected as the space station passed over Tunisia on April 15, 2025.
The imagery was obtained by a 4K camera, dubbed “SpaceTV-1,” aboard the International Space Station operated by Sen Corporation Ltd., a data company that provides services that includes streaming of real-time video from space to individuals and businesses.
As Sen’s cameras passed over the sandy desert landscape, the imagery revealed what the company says “looks like mysterious writing etched into the sand” which can be seen in the video below:
Incorporated in June 2007, Sen, a British-based company, aims to “democratize space” by making space data universally accessible and useful to everyone, from government organizations to private industry. Sen employs satellites and cameras on existing spacecraft like the ISS to gather and stream video, which the company says can be used to provide insights into Earth’s environment and a range of different space events.
Commenting on the mysterious markings in the Tunisian desert in a caption that accompanied the video uploaded to its YouTube channel, the company said that while the markings its cameras spotted may look mysterious, they probably have a more prosaic explanation.
“While it may seem like a cryptic message, it’s actually a striking view of agricultural patterns in the desert landscape,” the caption read.
Other recent videos the company has shared include footage its cameras have obtained of smoke from recent fires in Kansas and in Veracruz, Mexico as well as vivid colors showcased in imagery of Cuba seen from space.
In another video shared by the company, a series of unusual lights that were captured as Sen’s cameras passed over the Falkland Islands on April 12, 2025, were revealed to be LED lights on fishing boats, producing an eerie light show that can be seen from Earth orbit against the otherwise dark ocean.
Launched in 1998, the International Space Station is expected to remain in operation until the end of the decade, after which NASA plans to deorbit it with the help of a specialized spacecraft.
Additional information about Sen and the video and streaming services it provides can be found on the company’s website.
Micah Hanks is the Editor-in-Chief and Co-Founder of The Debrief. He can be reached by email at micah@thedebrief.org. Follow his work at micahhanks.com and on X: @MicahHanks.