Afghanistan, June 22 -- Abdul Ahad Momand, the first Afghan to travel to space, has died in Germany at the age of 67 after a prolonged battle with cancer, family members said on Sunday.
A relative told media that Momand had been suffering from illness for some time and was diagnosed with cancer. Funeral arrangements and memorial ceremonies will be announced later by his family. He is survived by two daughters and a son.
Momand made history in 1988 when he flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz TM-6 mission to the Mir Space Station, becoming the first Afghan and the fourth Muslim astronaut to travel into space. He spent eight days, 20 hours and 26 minutes in orbit before returning to Earth.
Born in 1958 in Andar district of Ghazni province, Momand ...