William Anders, the astronaut who captured the iconic Earthrise photo during the Apollo 8 mission, tragically died Friday. He was killed when the small plane he was piloting crashed into the water north of Seattle. 

According to NASA, local officials, and his family, the accident occurred between Orcas and Jones islands, about 80 miles north of Seattle.

The Coast Guard for the Pacific Northwest and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the crash just before 1 p.m. local time. The sheriff's office confirmed that only the pilot was aboard the two-seat plane. A body was recovered, and the pilot’s identification was retrieved, confirming Anders' death.

His son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed the news to The Associated Press, saying, “The family is devastated. He was a great pilot, and we will miss him terribly.”

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A Life of Achievement

William Anders was born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933. He had a distinguished career as an astronaut and is best remembered for his role as the lunar module pilot on the historic Apollo 8 mission. He is survived by his four sons and two daughters.

In December 1968, the Apollo 8 mission made history by becoming the first manned spacecraft to orbit the moon and return to Earth, laying the groundwork for the Apollo 11 lunar landing the following year. Alongside Frank Borman and James Lovell Jr., Anders helped to prove the command and service module.

The Iconic Earthrise Photo

During the mission, Anders took the now-famous “Earthrise” photograph. It captures the Earth rising over the lunar horizon. This image provided humanity with a new perspective of our planet, emphasizing its beauty and fragility.

In an interview with the “TODAY” show in 2018, marking the 50th anniversary of the mission, Anders reflected on the iconic photo: “When the Earth came up over the lunar horizon, that’s when it really impressed me as to how much more delicate the Earth was, and colorful.”

NASA and Public Tributes

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson offered his condolences. He highlighted Anders' contributions to space exploration. “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. He embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration. We will miss him,” Nelson wrote on X.

The Apollo 8 mission, launched 55 years ago on December 21, 1968, is remembered as a milestone in space exploration. 

William Anders’ legacy extends beyond his achievements as an astronaut. He loved to fly. He trained as a fighter pilot before he learned to fly spacecraft. His death is a profound loss to his family, the astronaut community, and the world.

The Earthrise photo remains one of the most powerful images captured in human history, symbolizing a moment of unity and reflection for all of humanity.