William Anders, Apollo 8 Astronaut, Dies at 84
Former lunar module pilot remembered for iconic 'Earthrise' photo
Anders was one of the first three humans to orbit the moon
Retired astronaut William Anders, who was one of the first three humans to orbit the moon and captured the famed "Earthrise" photo during NASA's Apollo 8 mission in 1968, has died at the age of 84.
Anders died on Thursday, September 14, 2023, at his home in Colorado Springs, Colorado, according to a statement from his family. The cause of death was not immediately released.
"Bill Anders was a true pioneer in space exploration," said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. "His iconic 'Earthrise' photograph changed the way we see our planet and inspired generations to come."
Anders was born in Hong Kong on October 17, 1933. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1955 and served as a fighter pilot before being selected as an astronaut in 1963.
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