The space exploration community is mourning the loss of William Anders, the astronaut who captured the iconic ‘Earthrise’ photograph during the Apollo 8 mission, after he died in a plane crash at the age of 90. Anders, a retired major general in the U.S. Air Force, was alone piloting a plane that crashed into the waters off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the recovery of his father’s body and expressed the family’s deep sense of loss. The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.NASA Administrator Bill Nelson honored Anders’ legacy, highlighting his contributions to space exploration and the profound impact of his ‘Earthrise’ photo on humanity’s perspective of Earth. The photo, taken during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, is celebrated for its philosophical and ecological significance, having helped to launch the environmental movement by depicting the beauty and solitude of our planet from space. Fellow astronauts and public figures, including Senator Mark Kelly, have also paid tribute to Anders, emphasizing the inspiration he provided to generations of explorers. Anders’ historical contributions to the Apollo missions and his role in capturing the ‘Earthrise’ image will continue to be remembered as pivotal moments in space exploration history.
Key points
- William Anders, known for the ‘Earthrise’ photo during the Apollo 8 mission, died in a plane crash.
- The ‘Earthrise’ photograph is credited with inspiring the global environmental movement.
- NASA Administrator Bill Nelson and others in the space community paid tribute to Anders’ legacy.
