Astronaut William Anders, Apollo 8 Mission Member, Passes Away at 90

Obituary:

Announcement of Death:

WEB William Alison Anders, an astronaut who was part of the 1968 Apollo 8 crew and took the iconic Earthrise photo, passed away on June 7, 2024 at the age of 90. The news of his death was confirmed by NASA on Thursday.

Background and Early Life:

William Anders was born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933. As a United States Air Force major general, electrical engineer, and nuclear engineer, Anders joined the Apollo program in 1963.

Apollo 8 Mission:

In December 1968, Anders, along with Frank Borman and James Lovell, became the first three humans to orbit the moon. During the mission, Anders captured the famous Earthrise photo, which showed the Earth rising over the lunar horizon. The image became one of the most iconic and widely reproduced photographs in history.

Legacy and Impact:

Anders's contributions to space exploration and photography were significant. His Earthrise photo helped shift the global perspective on our planet and inspired generations of scientists and engineers. He will be remembered as a pioneer in space exploration and a true visionary.