Muhammed Faris, First Syrian in Space, Dies at 73 in Turkey

Muhammed Ahmed Faris, the first Syrian cosmonaut and second Arab to fly into space, passed away at the age of 73 in Gaziantep, Turkey. Faris was hailed as a hero in Syria after his historic 1987 space mission aboard the Soviet Union's Soyuz TM-3 to the Mir space station.

Faris was selected in 1985 as part of the Soviet Union's Interkosmos program, which aimed to include cosmonauts from allied countries on space missions. On July 22, 1987, he launched into space with two Soviet cosmonauts, becoming the first Syrian, second Arab, and 12th foreign national to fly on a Russian spaceflight. During his week-long mission, Faris conducted observations of Syria from orbit and participated in scientific research. He also became the first person to transport soil from Earth to space, bringing a jar of Damascus soil with him.

Why this matters: Muhammed Faris's pioneering space mission made him a national hero in Syria and an inspiration to many in the Arab world. His achievements in space exploration and dedication to education left a lasting impact on the Syrian people and the global space community.

After returning from his mission, Faris was named a Hero of the Soviet Union and awarded the Order of Lenin for his role in the Interkosmos program. He continued to serve in the Syrian military and taught at universities for about 10 years. However, following the 2011 uprising against the Assad regime, Faris sought refuge in Turkey.

The Syrian Opposition and Revolutionary Forces National Coalition president Hadi el-Bahra described Faris as a courageous man who won the love of the Syrian people. Faris's family stated that he suffered a heart attack at the end of Ramadan. "Muhammed Faris's passing has saddened many in Syria and around the world," el-Bahra said in a statement. "His achievements in space exploration and his dedication to education have left a lasting impact on the Syrian people."

Key Takeaways

• Muhammed Faris, first Syrian cosmonaut, passed away at 73 in Turkey.
• Faris flew to Mir space station in 1987 as part of Soviet Interkosmos program.
• Faris was hailed as a hero in Syria for his historic space mission.
• After 2011 uprising, Faris sought refuge in Turkey, where he died of a heart attack.
• Faris's achievements in space exploration and education left a lasting impact.