Seattle, Washington – Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, known for capturing the iconic Earthrise photograph during the 1968 mission, has tragically passed away at the age of 90. The news of his death came after a small aircraft he was piloting crashed into the sea off Washington state. His son Greg confirmed the recovery of his father’s body, expressing the family’s devastation at the loss of a talented pilot.
Anders, a lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 mission, captured the Earthrise photograph on Christmas Eve in 1968, marking the first crewed space flight to leave Earth and reach the Moon. The image, showing Earth rising above the lunar horizon, became a symbol of environmental awareness and inspired the creation of Earth Day. Anders considered it his most significant contribution to the space program.
After retirement from NASA in 1969, Anders continued his career in the aerospace industry and briefly served as the US Ambassador to Norway in the 1970s. He had also worked as the backup pilot for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first Moon landing. Astronaut Mark Kelly, now a US Senator, credited Anders with inspiring generations of astronauts and explorers, reflecting on his influence in the space exploration community.
The National Transportation Safety Board reported that Anders’ plane, a Beechcraft A A 45, crashed off Jones Island, about 80 feet from the coast. Eyewitness accounts described the aircraft attempting a maneuver before crashing into the water and bursting into flames. The shocking incident left the community reeling from the loss of a pioneering astronaut and advocate for space exploration.
Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Anders’ legacy, acknowledging the profound impact of the Earthrise photograph on humanity. Anders’ significant role in expanding our perspective of Earth while exploring the unknown depths of outer space remains a testament to his dedication to space exploration and environmental awareness. His contributions to the Apollo missions and the iconic photograph he captured will forever hold a revered place in the history of space exploration.