Remembering Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders: A Tragic Aviation Accident

Tragic Loss of a Space Pioneer

Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, known for capturing the iconic 'Earthrise' photo, tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Washington state. The vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor he was piloting crashed off Jones Island, with Anders being the only person on board. Despite his maneuvers, the 90-year-old pilot could not escape the fatal dive into the water.

A Legacy of Exploration

Anders, along with astronauts Frank Borman and James Lovell, made history during Apollo 8 by becoming the first crewed mission to orbit the Moon. The breathtaking 'Earthrise' photo taken by Anders showcased our planet rising over the Moon's horizon. NASdministrator Bill Nelson expressed the profound impact of Anders' contributions to space exploration and humanity as a whole.