Bill Anders, Iconic Earthrise Photographer, Tragically Passes Away At 90

Renowned astronaut and Apollo 8 crew member, Bill Anders, known for capturing the captivating Earthrise photograph from space, has tragically lost his life at the age of 90. Reports indicate that the small plane he was piloting crashed into the waters north of Seattle, Washington.

Anders’ son, Greg, confirmed his father’s involvement in the accident, with his body being recovered on Friday afternoon.

The family, deeply devastated by the loss, expressed their grief in a heartfelt statement, emphasizing his exceptional piloting skills and the profound impact he made on those around him.

As the lunar module pilot on the historic Apollo 8 mission, Anders immortalized the iconic Earthrise image, which remains one of the most cherished and awe-inspiring depictions of our planet from the barren lunar surface.

Captured on Christmas Eve during the pioneering 1968 mission, this photograph resonated deeply with humanity, spurring the global environmental movement and ultimately leading to the establishment of Earth Day—an annual event dedicated to raising awareness and inspiring action for the well-being of our planet.

Reflecting on the significance of the Earthrise photo, Anders once remarked, “We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing that we discovered was the Earth.” This profound realization embodied the essence of his contribution to the space program.

The tragic plane crash occurred around 11:40 PDT (1940 BST), involving a Beechcraft A A 45, also known as a T-34, according to the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Eyewitness accounts, such as that of Philip Person, describe a harrowing scene as the aircraft appeared to lose control, executing a loop before crashing into the water near Jones Island.

Person, still in disbelief, likened the event to a surreal movie moment, with a fiery explosion and flames engulfing the wreckage.

Although Anders’s legacy extends beyond the Apollo 8 mission, including serving as the backup pilot for the Apollo 11 lunar landing, his indelible mark remains tied to his space exploration achievements and the captivating Earthrise photograph.

Following his retirement from the space program in 1969, he dedicated himself to the aerospace industry for several decades and even served as the US Ambassador to Norway in the 1970s.

Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his admiration, stating, “In 1968, during Apollo 8, Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give.

He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves.” Mark Kelly, a former astronaut and current US Senator for Arizona, also paid tribute to Anders, acknowledging his profound inspiration for generations of astronauts and explorers.

The loss of Bill Anders leaves a void in the world of space exploration, but his legacy of curiosity, discovery, and the ability to see our planet from a new perspective will continue to inspire and shape the future of humanity’s exploration beyond the confines of Earth.

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