Soviet Russia

The crew and back-up team for Ahad Momand's mission. Momand is third from the left.

The only Afghan to ever fly in space almost didn't make it back to Earth

October 24, 2014
Science

Ahad Momand is the first — and only — Afghan to have gone into space. He was a national hero after his flight in 1988, but it nearly ended in tragedy after a computer malfunction stranded him in orbit without food or water.

The only Afghan to ever fly in space almost didn't make it back to Earth

Latest Headlines

Russia's war turns Armenia into a booming tech sector
An Iraq vet grapples with lingering toll of war
Founding fatherhood: Part II
Aïda Muluneh's public art photo exhibit is 'a love letter to Ethiopia'
The risk of banking 'contagion' 
A rare murder conviction in the Philippines reveals a 'broken' justice system
A family of artists expresses how the war in Ukraine impacts their creative work
Zimbabwe struggles to keep the power on
India's tramway turned 150. But it’s on its last legs.
Young Iraqis reflect on the US-led invasion, its aftermath and their hopes for the future
More stories

The World is a public radio program that crosses borders and time zones to bring home the stories that matter.

Produced by

Major funding provided by

  1. Carnegie Corporation of New York
  2. MacArthur Foundation
  3. Ford Foundation
  4. Corporation for Public Broadcasting

  1. About
  2. Contact
  3. Donate
  4. Meet the Team
  5. Privacy Policy
  6. Terms of Use

©2023 The World from PRX

PRX is a 501(c)(3) organization recognized by the IRS: #263347402.