William Anders, the former astronaut renowned for capturing the iconic "Earthrise" photo during the Apollo 8 mission in 1968, tragically lost his life in a plane crash off the San Juan Islands in Washington state. He was 90.


His son, retired Air Force Lt. Col. Greg Anders, confirmed the death to The Associated Press, expressing the family's devastation and noting William Anders' exceptional piloting skills.


William Anders, a retired major general, regarded the "Earthrise" photo as his most significant contribution to the space program, alongside ensuring the functionality of the Apollo 8 command module and service module.


The photograph, showcasing Earth as a shadowed blue marble from space, profoundly impacted humanity's perception of the planet and is credited with catalyzing the global environmental movement by highlighting Earth's fragility and isolation.


NASA Administrator Bill Nelson acknowledged Anders' pivotal role in space exploration, emphasizing his ability to provide humanity with a new perspective of itself.


Anders captured the iconic photo during the Apollo 8 mission's fourth orbit of the moon, switching from black-and-white to color film in a moment of awe at the beauty of Earth rising from space.


The Apollo 8 mission, departing low-Earth orbit to travel to the moon and back, was NASA's boldest venture at the time and laid the groundwork for the historic Apollo moon landing in 1969.


The tragic plane crash occurred when an older-model aircraft piloted by Anders plunged into the waters near the San Juan Islands. His body was recovered later that day, and he was the sole occupant of the plane.


Anders' legacy extends beyond his astronaut career, as he co-founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Washington state, showcasing aircraft and artifacts, and was deeply involved in his community.


Born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong, Anders leaves behind a profound legacy of exploration, inspiration, and dedication to preserving aviation history.