William Anders, the famed Apollo 8 astronaut who captured the iconic “Earthrise” photo, passed away at 90. His death followed a plane crash off the coast of Washington state on Friday.
Fatal Plane Crash
The crash occurred near Roche Harbor on San Juan Island. Anders’ son, Greg, confirmed the incident, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) stated the plane, a Beech A45, went down with only Anders aboard. San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter mentioned that recovery efforts were ongoing, although a body had not yet been retrieved. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the accident.
Astronaut and Pilot
Born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, Anders attended the U.S. Naval Academy and the Air Force Institute of Technology. He joined NASA in 1964 and logged over 6,000 hours of flying time. Anders served as the lunar module pilot for Apollo 8 and was a backup pilot for Gemini XI and Apollo 11 missions. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised Anders for his contributions to space exploration, noting that he helped humanity gain a new perspective of Earth from space.
“Earthrise” and Environmental Symbolism
On Christmas Eve 1968, Anders, along with Apollo 8 commander Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, captured the “Earthrise” photo while orbiting the moon. This image, showing Earth as a fragile, colorful orb rising above the stark lunar surface, became a powerful symbol for the environmental movement. Reflecting on the moment, Anders described Earth as a “Christmas tree ornament” in contrast to the moon’s barren landscape. The Apollo 8 mission marked the first time humans left Earth orbit, setting the stage for the Apollo 11 moon landing the following year.
Pioneering Space Mission
Apollo 8 is regarded by many as the most daring of the Apollo missions. It was the first to launch atop the massive Saturn V rocket and the first to venture beyond Earth orbit, completing ten lunar orbits. This mission paved the way for future lunar landings, demonstrating the feasibility of human space exploration. Mike Collins, Apollo 11 command module pilot, highlighted Apollo 8’s significance. Anders himself acknowledged the mission’s importance, noting its role in preparing for the moon landing. While he recognized the significance of Apollo 11, he also emphasized the groundbreaking nature of Apollo 8, which represented humanity’s first journey to another celestial body.
Remembering William Anders
William Anders’ contributions to space exploration and his iconic “Earthrise” photograph have left an indelible mark on history.
His pioneering spirit and dedication to exploration continue to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts. As the investigation into the plane crash continues, the legacy of Bill Anders remains a testament to human curiosity and the quest for knowledge beyond our planet.