Researchers at the Muhammad Bin Rashid space centre will build the device which can collect 10 times more images than what the facility receives now.

At the beginning of this year, the UAE made waves across the galaxy by entering the Martian orbit in its first attempt, establishing itself as a formidable player in the field of space research, and a leader in the sector as far as the Middle East is concerned. But before that the country had already sent out multiple satellites, including its first homegrown mechanical moon, and is now assembling the second such orbital vehicle, as it surges ahead in the cosmos.

Satellites being launched from the region include cubesats which are mostly meant for educational purposes, along with those that monitor climate change and pollution, as well as cosmic vehicles which facilitate communication or send updates that are crucial for security on the borders. After supporting urban planning, disaster management and other similar tasks via visuals generated from its eye in the sky, the UAE is now taking things a notch higher with plans to build the most powerful imaging satellite in the region, which will send 10 times more pictures as compared to what the country now receives.

Researchers at the Muhammad Bin Rashid space centre are all set to start development on the 800 kilogram mechanical moon, which will be sent out in the cosmos aboard a Falcon 9 rocket propelled by global giant SpaceX. The country is already collaborating with five private firms to complete work on the satellite, as 90% of the mechanical modules will be built within the Emirates.

On the other hand 50% of the electrical modules will be completed in the UAE, for the second space vehicle which is being assembled entirely by engineers from the country. The plethora of visual data that'll be sent back by the satellite once it reaches Earth's orbit in 2023, will be the result of a fully automated image scheduling and processing mechanism.

Precision of the images taken from a height of 500 kilometres above the Earth's surface, will be ensured by the UAE's most powerful telescope mounted on the mechanical moon.