William “Bill” Anders, the NASA astronaut renowned for capturing the iconic “Earthrise” photo during the Apollo 8 mission, has tragically died at the age of 90 in a plane crash. The accident occurred on June 7, 2024, when the vintage Beechcraft T-34 Mentor aircraft he was piloting crashed into Puget Sound near the San Juan Islands in Washington state.
In 1968, Anders was a part of the historic Apollo 8 mission, which was the first time a human being set foot on the Moon. As a symbol of our planet’s fragility and unity, his photograph of the Earth rising above the lunar surface became one of history’s most famous images (NASA+). Following his NASA career, Anders held various significant positions, including serving as a commissioner on the Atomic Energy Commission and as the U.S. Ambassador to Norway.
His contributions to space exploration and his post-NASA career have left a lasting legacy, celebrated by many in the fields of science, aviation, and beyond.
