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Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026
Outside the box.
Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders Dies in Plane Crash at 90
William Anders, a former astronaut famous for taking the iconic 'Earthrise' photo, died in a plane crash at age 90. He was piloting a small aircraft off the coast of Washington state on June 7, 2024. Anders was a member of the Apollo 8 mission, the first to orbit the Moon, and captured the renowned Earthrise photo.
William Anders, a former astronaut who took the iconic 'Earthrise' photo from space, died in a plane crash at age 90.
The crash occurred off the coast of Washington state on June 7, 2024. Anders was piloting the small aircraft alone. His body was later recovered by a dive team.
Anders was a member of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, which was the first mission to orbit the Moon. He captured the 'Earthrise' photo during one of their ten lunar orbits.
The photo showcased the Earth from space, highlighting its fragility and beauty. Born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933, Anders graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
He served in various technology-related government positions, including as the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. ambassador to Norway.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.
The crash occurred off the coast of Washington state on June 7, 2024. Anders was piloting the small aircraft alone. His body was later recovered by a dive team.
Anders was a member of the Apollo 8 mission in December 1968, which was the first mission to orbit the Moon. He captured the 'Earthrise' photo during one of their ten lunar orbits.
The photo showcased the Earth from space, highlighting its fragility and beauty. Born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933, Anders graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master’s degree in nuclear engineering.
He served in various technology-related government positions, including as the first chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and U.S. ambassador to Norway.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.