Former Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders dies in plane crash at 90

Retired Maj. Gen. William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut renowned for capturing the iconic “Earthrise” photograph, died on Friday in a plane crash near the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90.

The accident occurred when the Beech A45 plane he was piloting alone crashed into the waters off Jones Island in the San Juan Channel. Greg Anders, his son and a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, confirmed his father’s death to The Associated Press, stating, “The family is devastated. He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.”

San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter reported that the crash, which happened around 11:40 a.m., is under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Initial reports indicate that Anders was the only person on board.

William Anders made history as one of the first three astronauts to orbit the moon during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. Alongside Frank Borman and James Lovell Jr., Anders took the groundbreaking “Earthrise” photograph on Christmas Eve.

The image, depicting Earth as a small blue marble against the vastness of space, is considered one of the most significant photographs ever taken, highlighting Earth’s fragility and inspiring the global environmental movement.

Reflecting on the mission during its 50th anniversary in 2018, Anders remarked, “As I looked down at the Earth, which is about the size of your fist at arm’s length, I’m thinking, ‘This is not a very big place. Why can’t we get along?’” He acknowledged the photograph as his most significant contribution to the space program, along with ensuring the functionality of the Apollo 8 command and service modules.

NASA Administrator and former Senator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Anders, saying, “He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves.” Senator Mark Kelly, also a retired NASA astronaut, noted that Anders’ Earthrise photo “forever changed our perspective of our planet and ourselves.”

Born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, Anders graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955 and served as a fighter pilot in the Air Force. He later joined NASA, serving as a backup crew member for Apollo 11 and Gemini XI. His sole spaceflight was the Apollo 8 mission.

After retiring from NASA, Anders held various roles, including serving on the Atomic Energy Commission, leading the U.S.-U.S.S.R. technology exchange program for nuclear power, and acting as ambassador to Norway. He also worked for General Electric and General Dynamics.

In 1996, Anders and his wife, Valerie, founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state, which showcases military aircraft, vehicles, and artifacts. The couple moved to Orcas Island in the San Juan archipelago in 1993 and maintained a second home in San Diego. They had six children and 13 grandchildren.

The loss of William Anders marks the end of an era for the space exploration community and the many people his life and work inspired. The FAA and NTSB will continue to investigate the cause of the crash.