Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders dies in plane crash.: William Anders crash- Apollo 8 tragedy

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William Anders, a NASA astronaut and part of the Apollo 8 crew, passed away in a plane crash at the age of 90. The incident occurred in Washington state, as confirmed by his son, Gregory Anders. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported the aircraft going down off the coast of Jones Island. Anders, a decorated pilot, captured the iconic “Earthrise” image during the Apollo 8 mission. Recognized as “Men of the Year” by Time Magazine in 1968, Anders also served as the Executive Secretary for the National Aeronautics and Space Council. His legacy in space exploration will be greatly missed.

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Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders, one of the first three people to orbit the moon in 1968, tragically lost his life in a plane crash in Washington state. The news of his passing has left the world in mourning, as his contributions to space exploration and his iconic Earthrise photo have left a lasting impact on humanity.

According to reports from CNN, William Anders, aged 90, was involved in an aircraft incident in the San Juan Islands. His son, Gregory Anders, confirmed the heartbreaking news to CNN, stating that the family is devastated by the loss of a great pilot. The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office also released a statement regarding the incident, noting that an older model plane had gone down off the coast of Jones Island.

William Anders was born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933, and went on to graduate from the United States Naval Academy in 1955. He had a distinguished career in the US Air Force, earning his pilot’s wings and serving as a fighter pilot in various squadrons. In 1964, he was selected as an astronaut by NASA and served as a backup pilot for the Gemini 11 mission and the Apollo 11 flight.

However, it was his role as the lunar module pilot on the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968 that cemented his place in history. Alongside fellow astronauts Jim Lovell and Frank Borman, Anders became one of the first humans to witness Earthrise from the moon’s surface. The iconic image captured by Anders during the Apollo 8 flight on Christmas Eve 1968 showcased Earth peeking out from beyond the lunar horizon, forever changing our perspective of our planet.

Describing the moment, Anders famously said, “We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.” The photo, now considered legendary, highlighted the fragility and beauty of our planet, emphasizing the need for environmental stewardship and global unity.

In the years following his historic space mission, William Anders continued to make significant contributions to the field of space exploration. He served as the Executive Secretary for the National Aeronautics and Space Council and was appointed as the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission by President Gerald Ford.

NASA administrator Bill Nelson paid tribute to Anders, acknowledging his profound impact on humanity. Nelson praised Anders for his role in helping us see ourselves in a new light and for embodying the spirit of exploration. The legacy of William Anders will continue to inspire future generations of astronauts and space enthusiasts.

William Anders leaves behind a loving family, including his wife, Valerie, two daughters, and four sons. His passing is a loss not only to his family but to the entire space community, who will forever remember him for his pioneering spirit and his unforgettable Earthrise photo. May his memory continue to inspire us to reach for the stars and protect our precious planet.