June 8th, Washington:
American astronaut William Anders, who was a member of the historic Apollo 8 mission, was killed in a plane crash in Washington state, . His son, Gregory Anders, confirmed the news. The space pioneer, who was 90 years old when he tragically passed away, was involved in an aviation accident in the San Juan Islands. Anders informed Friday night that his father had died in an aeroplane crash in the San Juan Islands.
Reports indicate that a plane went down near Jones Island, according to the San Juan County Sheriff's Office. At approximately 11:40 am PT, the first tip came in regarding a "older model plane that was flying from north to south then went into the water near the north end of Jones Island and sunk." By email, San Juan Sheriff Eric Peter informed that a dive team had been sent to the location to search.
Tragically, the Anders family is now dealing with deep loss. The loss of such a talented pilot has left the family in a condition of profound grief, as Gregory Anders noted. Situated around 90 miles north of Seattle, the San Juan Islands are a popular destination for travellers. A man of extraordinary accomplishments and outstanding service, William Anders set off on his extraordinary trip on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong. Upon receiving his wings as a pilot in 1956, he was commissioned into the United States Air Force, having graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1955. Anders flew fighter jets for the Air Defence Command in Iceland and California, where he was a member of all-weather interception squadrons.
His leadership of radiation effects and nuclear power reactor shielding programmes stood out during his time at the New Mexico-based Air Force Weapons Laboratory. In 1964, Anders was chosen by NASA to be an astronaut, and his impact on space exploration was profound and long-lasting. From 1966's Gemini 11 mission to 1969's historic Apollo 11 trip, he was the backup pilot. His unmatched dedication and considerable flying experience (over 6,000 hours) made him a master in his field. In December 1968, Anders, Jim Lovell, and mission commander Frank Borman were the first people to orbit the moon on the historic Apollo 8 mission. It was a turning point in their career. This historic mission required Anders to take the helm as pilot of the lunar module.
While on the trip, Anders took the now-iconic shot "Earthrise," which juxtaposes the lunar surface with Earth's natural splendour, and so captures a moment of great significance. "We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth." his words reverberate with profound emotion as he contemplates this moment. This iconic photo, which NASA has hailed as a work of art, captures Anders' profound understanding of the precariousness of Earth and our role in the universe.
The Earth, Anders said, "came up as this gorgeous orb" as he peered out the window.
"For me, it made me realise that the earth was small, delicate and not the centre of the universe," he added. In 1968, Anders, Lovell, and Borman were named "Men of the Year" by Time Magazine for their outstanding contributions to expanding human knowledge of the cosmos.
Among Anders' many notable post-NASA leadership jobs was his tenure as Executive Secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council, which he held from 1969 to 1973. The nuclear regulatory commission, which ensures nuclear safety and environmental compatibility, named him as its initial chairman. This post is crucial.
"Bill Anders offered to humanity among the deepest of gifts an astronaut can give," wrote NASA administrator Bill Nelson in a Friday post on X. With his journey to the Moon's edge, he opened our eyes to something else: ourselves.
According to Nelson, he personified the values and goals of exploration. He is going to be missed by all. Anders highly valued his family life alongside his wife Valerie, with whom he had a total of eight children: four males and two daughters.
