William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut celebrated for capturing the iconic "Earthrise" photograph, tragically died in a plane crash at the age of 90. The incident occurred near the San Juan Islands in Washington state on Friday. Anders was the only person on board the older-model plane, which crashed into the waters near Jones Island. His death was confirmed by his son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, who expressed the family's devastation.
Anders’ legacy is etched in history through the "Earthrise" photo, which he snapped during the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968. This mission marked the first human spaceflight to leave low-Earth orbit, travel to the moon, and return safely. The photograph, the first color image of Earth from space, shows our planet as a shadowed blue marble against the vastness of space and is credited with sparking the global environmental movement. The image profoundly changed humanity's view of Earth, highlighting its fragility and beauty.
During the mission's fourth orbit of the moon, Anders hurriedly switched from black-and-white to color film to capture the striking view. "Oh my God, look at that picture over there! There's the Earth coming up. Wow, is that pretty!" he exclaimed. The photo has since become one of the most significant images in modern history, influencing countless people and movements.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson praised Anders, stating that he embodied the spirit of exploration. "He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves," Nelson wrote. Arizona Senator and retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly also honored Anders, noting his profound impact on generations of astronauts and explorers.
Born on October 17th, 1933, in Hong Kong, Anders had a distinguished career before and after his historic spaceflight. He graduated from the Naval Academy in 1955 and served as a fighter pilot in the Air Force. He later held significant positions, including serving on the Atomic Energy Commission and as the U.S. ambassador to Norway. Anders also worked for General Electric and General Dynamics.
In 1996, Anders and his wife, Valerie, founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state, which features 15 aircraft, several antique military vehicles, a library, and numerous artifacts donated by veterans. 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.
Anders’ death was confirmed to KING-TV by Greg Anders, who revealed that his father’s body was recovered on Friday afternoon. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the crash. San Juan County Sheriff Eric Peter reported that an older-model plane crashed into the water near the north end of Jones Island around 11:40 a.m., sinking upon impact. The Federal Aviation Association noted that Anders was the sole occupant of the Beech A45 airplane.
Reflecting on the Apollo 8 mission, Anders once stated in a 1997 NASA oral history interview that while the mission was not risk-free, it was essential for national, patriotic, and exploratory reasons. He estimated a one-in-three chance of the crew not making it back and a similar chance of mission success. Despite the risks, Anders believed in the importance of exploration, likening their odds to those faced by Christopher Columbus.
William Anders will be remembered not only for his contributions to space exploration but also for changing how humanity views its home planet. His iconic Earthrise photo remains a testament to the beauty and fragility of Earth, inspiring generations to cherish and protect it.
