Muhammad Faris

MUHAMMED FARIS ~ THE FRIEST SYRIAN IN SPACE

Muhammed Ahmed Faris (born May 26, 1951) is a Syrian military aviator. He was the first Syrian and the second Arab in space.

Born in Aleppo, Syria, he was a pilot in the Syrian Air Force with the rank of a colonel. He specialized in navigation when he was selected to participate in the Intercosmos spaceflight program on September 30, 1985.

He flew as Research Cosmonaut on Soyuz TM-3 to the Mir space station in July 1987, spending 7 days 23 hours and 5 minutes in space. He returned to Earth aboard Soyuz TM-2.

Muhammed Faris was awarded the title Hero of the Soviet Union on July 30, 1987. He was also awarded the Order of Lenin.

After his spaceflight, he returned to the Syrian Air Force and lives in Aleppo. He is married and has three children.