William Anders, a former Apollo 8 astronaut and the man behind the iconic “Earthrise” photo, passed away in a tragic plane crash. Anders was 90 years old at the time of his death and was piloting a Beech A45 when it crashed off the coast of San Juan Islands in Washington state.
Anders had described the “Earthrise” photo as one of his most significant contributions to space exploration, citing its philosophical impact. The image captured the Earth as a shadowy blue marble from space, changing people’s perception of the planet forever. It sparked a global environmental movement by highlighting the Earth’s vulnerability and isolation.
As part of the Apollo 8 mission, Anders was among the first humans to travel to the moon. However, they did not land on its surface. The crew of Apollo 11 achieved that milestone in July 1969, over a year later.
In an interview with NASA in 1997, Anders acknowledged the risks involved in space missions but emphasized their importance for national pride and continued exploration. He estimated a one-in-three chance of not surviving the mission compared to Christopher Columbus’ historic voyage.
William Anders’ legacy in space exploration and his contributions to our understanding of Earth will be remembered and celebrated for years to come.
