SOCIETY — June 21, 2026
Abdul Ahad Mohmand, Afghanistan's first astronaut, dies in Germany
He was 67 and died of cancer on 31 Jawza in a Stuttgart hospital after living in exile in Germany since 1992.
The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Afghanistan International — corroborated by Amu TV — 2 min read
Abdul Ahad Mohmand, Afghanistan's first astronaut, has died in Germany. He was 67 and passed away from cancer in a hospital in Stuttgart on 31 Jawza while living in exile there.
Mohmand flew to the Mir space station aboard the Soyuz TM-6 spacecraft in 1988 and spent nine days in space. He was the first Afghan citizen to travel to space and carried a copy of the Quran with him, becoming the first Muslim to do so. During the mission he conducted experiments, photographed Afghanistan from orbit and sent a message of peace.
After the flight, Mohmand served as deputy minister of civil aviation and tourism. He left Afghanistan after the fall of Dr. Najib's government and the civil wars that followed in 1992, eventually settling in Germany.
His death has prompted reactions among Afghans and scientific figures who viewed him as a national hero.
Read the original reporting at Afghanistan International →
Reliability assessment
Two independent sources corroborate the core event of Mohmand's death in Germany and his 1988 space mission with consistent biographical details; Amu TV adds on-record attribution from family members and close associates regarding the date, cause, and location of death.
The source language reads straight.
Independent web corroboration
An independent web search turned up no separate corroborating reports. Treat the account as single-sourced until more outlets pick it up.
Across the newsrooms
Where reports agree
- Mohmand was Afghanistan's first astronaut who flew to the Mir space station in 1988 for approximately nine days
- He was the first Muslim to carry the Quran into space
- He left Afghanistan after the fall of Najibullah's government and the ensuing civil wars, settling in Germany
- He conducted experiments and photographed Afghanistan from space during the mission
- His death has prompted reactions among Afghans and scientific figures
Where reports differ
- Specific details of death (date, age, cause, hospital) are provided only by Amu TV; Afghanistan International does not include them in the body
Filed by 2 outlets
Afghanistan International
Originating
Reported straight
Reported straight
Amu TV
Reported straight
Reported straight
Filed under
Society — Abdul Ahad Mohmand, Afghanistan, Mir Space Station, Germany, Astronaut
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