Maj. Gen. William A. Anders, USAF (Ret.), was an astronaut who was part of the first Apollo 8 manned mission to the moon in 1968. Sadly, he passed away at the age of 90 while piloting an aircraft that crashed off the Washington coast. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the news, stating that his father was flying solo in a Beech A45 plane when the accident occurred near Jones Island, Washington.
The National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the cause of the crash. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Mr. Anders, highlighting the iconic “Earthrise” photograph taken during the Apollo 8 mission, which showcased Earth rising over the lunar horizon.
Mr. Nelson praised Mr. Anders for embodying the spirit of exploration and the profound impact it has on humanity. The “Earthrise” image became a symbol for the environmental movement and inspired the first “Earth Day” in 1970.
The Apollo 8 mission, with astronauts Frank Borman, James A. Lovell Jr., and William Anders, marked a significant milestone as the first crewed mission to leave Earth’s orbit. The crew entered lunar orbit on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, 1968, and conducted a memorable live telecast showing images of Earth and the moon from space.
During the telecast, the crew read a passage from the Bible, with Maj. Gen. Anders delivering a message to humanity as they witnessed lunar sunrise. The crew safely returned to Earth on Dec. 27, 1968, and were celebrated for their historic achievement.
Mr. Anders, born in Hong Kong in 1933, had a distinguished career as an astronaut and Air Force officer. After retiring from NASA and the Air Force, he continued to serve in public roles, providing advice on aeronautical and space matters.
In summary, Maj. Gen. William A. Anders played a crucial role in the Apollo 8 mission, leaving a lasting impact on space exploration and inspiring generations with his contributions to humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
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