Afghanistan’s Only Astronaut Abdul Ahad Momand Dies at 67

DID Press: Abdul Ahad Momand, Afghanistan’s first and only astronaut, has died in Germany at the age of 67 after battling cancer, according to sources close to his family.

Momand had been living with his family in the city of Stuttgart in recent years and had reportedly been receiving treatment for cancer before his death on Sunday.

In 1988, at the age of 29, Momand traveled to space as part of a joint mission of the former Soviet Union to the Mir Space Station. During the mission, he spent approximately nine days in orbit, becoming the first Afghan citizen to travel into space.

His historic journey secured his place in both Afghan and international space history, making him a symbol of scientific achievement and national pride for generations of Afghans.

Momand remained widely recognized as a pioneering figure in Afghanistan’s modern history and the country’s sole representative among the world’s astronauts.