William Andersthe astronaut POT known for his historic role in the mission Apollo 8, died tragically in a plane crash in Washington state.
Your son, Gregory Andersconfirmed the news stating that his father died in an air incident in the San Juan Islands.
“The family is devastated and saddened by the loss of a great pilot,” Gregory told CNN on Friday night.
The San Juan County Sheriff’s Office reported that an aircraft crashed off the coast of Jones Island. The initial report arrived at the dispatch center around 11:40 a.m. PT, detailing that “an older model airplane was flying from north to south and then hit the water near the north end of Jones Island and sank”.
After an hours-long search involving multiple agencies and covering 215 nautical miles, the United States Coast Guard recovered Anders’ body.
Born October 17, 1933 in Hong KongWilliam Anders graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1955. After being an officer in the US Air Forceearned his pilot wings the following year.
Anders served as a fighter pilot in all-weather interception squadrons of the Air Defense Command in California and Iceland. Later, his career took him to the Laboratory of Air Force Weapons in New Mexicowhere he managed nuclear power reactor protection and radiation effects programs.
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1964Anders served as backup pilot for the mission Gemini 11 in 1966 and the flight Apollo 11 in 1969.
His most significant achievement came as pilot of the Apollo 8 lunar module in December 1968, where, along with Jim Lovell and Frank Borman, they were part of the first crew to orbit the moon.
During this mission, Anders captured the iconic photograph of “Earthrise”which has been described as “legendary” by NASA.
William Anders’ Enduring Legacy: The Discovery of Earth from the Moon
Reflecting on the historic flight of Apollo 8, Anders once said: “We came here to explore the Moon and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth”.
This profound understanding emphasized the fragility and beauty of the Earth, reshaping humanity’s perspective on our planet.
Following his space missions, Anders continued to serve the nation in various capacities. From 1969 to 1973 he was Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council.
Subsequently, President Gerald Ford appointed him first president of the Nuclear Regulatory Commissionwhich oversees nuclear safety and environmental compatibility.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelsonpaid tribute to Anders in a post on X by stating the following:
“Bill Anders offered humanity one of the most profound gifts an astronaut can give. He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped us all see something else: ourselves. He embodied the lessons and purpose of exploration . We will miss you”.
Anders leaves behind his wife, Valerie, their two daughters and four sons. His legacy as an astronaut and his contributions to science and exploration will continue to inspire future generations.
