Afghanistan’s
Spaceman

"When I was little I used to look up at the sky. Sometimes planes would appear overhead and I would think how great it would be if I could fly"

In August 1988, my country, Afghanistan, accomplished something truly extraordinary.

She sent one of her own to touch the stars!

Air Force pilot Abdul Ahad Momand, born in a small town called Sardeh, became the very first Afghan to make a journey into space, spending nine days aboard the Soviet space station, Mir. 

Momand was chosen for the Soviet Interkosmos program, which invited scientists and astronauts from allied nations to work together in space. During his mission, Momand conducted fascinating scientific experiments, captured stunning photographs of his (and mine) homeland from orbit, and even got to call his mother, speaking to her in Pashto. After that call, my mother tongue became the fourth language ever spoken in space. 

Momand's achievement was significant because it came during a critical time in Afghanistan's history when Soviet forces began their withdrawal after a decade of occupation.

Afghanistan had won its war, but at what cost? 

Momand’s incredible journey to space was a testament to the potential of Afghanistan. She had sons and daughter to give to science and innovation. She was standing shoulder to shoulder with other nations, helping humanity advance its knowledge on our planet. 

But then it all changed. 



A Nation's Descent

In the years that followed Momand's incredible space mission, Afghanistan took a difficult turn, moving far away from the dreams inspired by its spacefaring hero and towards a darkness that has arrested our nation for the better part of the last century.

Instead of reaching for the stars, the country faced political instability, civil war, and foreign interventions, leading to a painful cycle of conflict,  struggle and violence.

Momand himself found safety in exile and left to seek refuge in Germany after the government that had championed his mission fell apart. His personal journey, much like his nation's, tells a poignant story of a dream interrupted.

The rise of the Taliban in the '90s, the aftermath of 9/11, and years of instability meant Afghanistan was thrown back into the Middle Ages, a far cry from having once sent an Afghan to space. 

As schools shuttered, many professionals left in search of safety, and the focus sadly shifted from pushing for advancement to trying to survive.


Hope for Ascent

Momand’s journey is a testament that when Afghans are given the opportunities and the education they deserve, they can soar to incredible heights, perhaps even touching the stars once more. 

As Afghanistan tries to come back from the ashes of a 50-year war, Momand's legacy brings a spark of inspiration. Across diaspora communities and within Afghanistan, new generations are passionately pursuing education and innovation both in sciences and the arts, carrying forward the remarkable potential that Momand so beautifully exemplified.

One day, we can hope that Afghanistan will once again cultivate the scientific and intellectual milestones that once made it shine brightly. She will once more give sons and daughters to the pursuit of knowledge and innovation to make our world a better place. 

Until that day comes, Abdul Ahad Momand’s short journey among the stars will forever serve as both a cherished memory in our darkness and a promise to ourselves as Afghans, reminding us of the extraordinary achievements of the past and the incredible heights that await in the future.