Retired major-general William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut known for capturing the iconic Earthrise photo in 1968, tragically lost his life on Friday in a plane crash off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90 years old.
The news of Anders’ passing was confirmed by his son, retired air force lieutenant-colonel Greg Anders, who expressed the family’s devastation over the loss of their beloved patriarch. William Anders, who considered the Earthrise photo his most significant contribution to the space program, had a profound impact on the world with the image that showed Earth as a shadowed blue marble from space.
The Earthrise photo, the first color image of Earth from space, is credited with sparking the global environmental movement by highlighting the fragility and isolation of our planet. NASA administrator Bill Nelson praised Anders for embodying the lessons and purpose of exploration, noting how he helped humanity see itself in a new light.
Anders took the historic photo during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, the first human spaceflight to leave low-Earth orbit and travel to the moon and back. The mission set the stage for the Apollo moon landing seven months later and forever changed how humans viewed Earth and themselves.
The tragic plane crash occurred near the north end of Jones Island, with the older-model aircraft piloted by Anders plummeting into the water and sinking. The U.S. Federal Aviation Association and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash, which claimed the life of the legendary astronaut.
Remembered for his bravery and contributions to space exploration, William Anders leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire future generations of astronauts and explorers. His remarkable journey from space to Earth, capturing the beauty and fragility of our planet, will forever be etched in history.