William Anders, the astronaut famous for taking the iconic “Earthrise” photograph during the Apollo 8 mission, died at the age of 90 on June 7, 2024, in a plane crash near the San Juan Islands in Washington state. Anders was piloting a small aircraft, which crashed into the water and sank. He was the sole occupant of the plane. His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the news of his death.
Anders’ contributions to space exploration were significant, as he was one of the first astronauts to orbit the Moon during the historic Apollo 8 mission in 1968. The “Earthrise” photograph he captured is credited with sparking environmental awareness worldwide. After his NASA career, Anders continued to serve in various capacities, including roles in the National Aeronautics and Space Council and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.