Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s first astronaut and a pioneering figure in the nation’s scientific history, has died in Germany at the age of 67 following a battle with cancer.
His family confirmed that he passed away in Stuttgart, where he had been living since relocating to Germany in 1992.
Momand made history in 1988 when he became the first Afghan to travel into space, a mission that lasted nine days after an unexpected extension caused by technical difficulties.
During his time aboard the space station, he carried a copy of the Quran and recited verses, and also spoke with his mother in Pashto from orbit, marking a symbolic cultural milestone as the language was spoken beyond Earth for the first time.
Born in 1959 in Ghazni Province, Momand completed his early education in Afghanistan before pursuing advanced studies in aviation and aerospace engineering in the former Soviet Union.
His career reflected both scientific achievement and national representation during a pivotal era.
After his space mission, Momand eventually settled in Germany, where he continued to work in technical and scientific fields.
His death marks the loss of one of Afghanistan’s most notable figures in aerospace exploration and remains a defining moment in the country’s modern scientific heritage.
Follow the latest news on Google News
