William A. Anders, 90, Dies; Flew on First Manned Orbit of the Moon

William A. Anders, 90, Dies; Flew on First Manned Orbit of the Moon

Keywords: Apollo 8, Earthrise, astronaut, moon, NASA

William A. Anders, a former NASA astronaut who made history as a crew member on the first manned orbit of the Moon, passed away on January 28, 2018, at the age of 90.

Anders was born in 1926 in Shanghai, China, to American parents. After serving in the U.S. Air Force during World War II, he earned degrees in nuclear engineering and business administration.

In 1963, Anders was selected to join NASA’s astronaut corps. He made his first spaceflight in 1969 as a member of the Apollo 8 mission, which became the first crewed spacecraft to orbit the Moon. During the mission, Anders and his crewmates captured the iconic “Earthrise” photograph, which showed Earth rising over the lunar horizon.

The Earthrise photograph became a powerful symbol of environmentalism and the fragility of our planet. It helped inspire the first Earth Day celebration in 1970.

After Apollo 8, Anders served as the first Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 11 mission, which landed the first humans on the Moon. However, he was replaced by Michael Collins due to a medical condition.

Anders retired from NASA in 1971 and went on to hold various positions in the private sector and government. He remained an active advocate for space exploration and environmental protection.

Anders’s legacy as an astronaut and environmentalist will continue to inspire generations to come. He will be remembered as a pioneer who helped humanity reach new heights and gain a new perspective on our place in the universe.