Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has announced that the UAE is currently working on a new mission to the moon.

The announcement follows the likely hard landing of the Hakuto-R Mission 1 spacecraft carrying the previous rover, Rashid rover, to the lunar surface.

Read: UAE Moon mission: Contact lost with HAKUTO-R lander carrying Rashid rover, hard landing on lunar surface likely

During a visit to the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC), where the previous rover was constructed, Sheikh Mohammed instructed the team to begin implementing the Rashid 2 project immediately.

“Today, explorer Rashid 1 is on the surface of the moon, carrying the flag of the Emirates,” he tweeted.

Highlighting the ambition of the UAE, Sheikh Mohammed stated that the country has never ceased striving towards progress since its founding on December 2, 1971.

“From today, work will begin on Rashid 2, a new explorer, for a new attempt to reach the moon.

We are a country founded on ambition. We are a country that has not stopped since December 2, 1971. It will not stop. It will not turn around. It will not set small goals for itself.

The next is more beautiful, greater and more daring, God willing,” he stated.