NASA Legend William Anders Dies in Plane Crash: He Captured the Most Significant Space Photo of Earth
William Anders, a former US astronaut who captured the iconic „Earthrise“ photo during the first manned moon mission in 1968, has passed away in a plane crash. The space exploration icon was flying a small aircraft over the sea northwest of Seattle when the accident occurred, according to his son Greg. Anders, who was 90 years old, was reportedly alone in the plane at the time of the crash, and authorities are investigating the cause of the incident.
Anders‘ legacy in space exploration is marked by his role in capturing the „Earthrise“ photo during the Apollo 8 mission, the first manned mission to the moon that did not include a lunar landing. On Christmas Eve of 1968, Anders took the iconic photograph that depicts the moon in the foreground and the Earth rising in the background. This image revolutionized the human perspective of our home planet, symbolizing the fragility and isolation of Earth and serving as a catalyst for the environmental movement.
Following his time at NASA, Anders held various positions, including presidential advisor, US ambassador, and roles in nuclear energy and aviation companies. He spent his later years on the San Juan Islands off the northwest coast of the USA. Anders leaves behind a legacy of exploration and inspiration, having contributed significantly to the advancement of space exploration and our understanding of the universe.
While manned moon missions seemed to lose interest in the US for a period, with the first US moon landing since 1972 taking place in 2024, there has been a resurgence of interest in lunar exploration. Some companies are even exploring the potential for mining resources on the moon, signaling a new era of space exploration and commercial opportunities beyond Earth. William Anders‘ contributions to space exploration and his iconic „Earthrise“ photo will continue to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts.