Apollo 8 Astronaut Bill Anders Dies at 90 in Plane Crash
By Caroline Ameh
Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders, renowned for capturing the iconic “Earthrise” photograph, has passed away at the age of 90 in a plane crash. The incident occurred when the small aircraft he was piloting crashed into the sea off Washington state on Saturday.
Anders, who served as the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 mission, was known for his historic contribution to space exploration. The Earthrise photograph, taken during the 1968 mission, became one of the most memorable images of Earth from space and played a significant role in inspiring the global environmental movement.
His son, Greg Anders, confirmed the devastating news, stating, “The family is devastated. He was a great pilot. He will be missed.”
The crash occurred at approximately 11:40 PDT (19:40 BST) near Jones Island, with witnesses describing the plane performing what appeared to be a loop before crashing into the water. Footage allegedly capturing the incident shows a last-second attempt to pull up before the aircraft hit the surface and burst into flames.
Officials have identified the aircraft as a Beechcraft A45, also known as a T-34. The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the crash.
Anders’ legacy extends beyond his time with NASA; he also served as the backup pilot for the Apollo 11 mission, which led to the first Moon landing in 1969. Following his retirement from the space program, Anders worked in the aerospace industry and served as US Ambassador to Norway for a year in the 1970s.
Nasa Administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Anders, stating, “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.”
Former astronaut and current US Senator Mark Kelly also honored Anders, saying he “inspired me and generations of astronauts and explorers.”
Anders’ passing is mourned not only by his family and friends but also by the space exploration community, which recognizes his significant contributions to humanity’s understanding of the cosmos.
