169
submitted 1 month ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

cross-posted from: https://midwest.social/post/13128061

archive link: https://archive.ph/JlyLf

SEATTLE (AP) — William Anders, the former Apollo 8 astronaut who took the iconic “Earthrise” photo showing the planet as a shadowed blue marble from space in 1968, was killed Friday when the plane he was piloting alone plummeted into the waters 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. “The family is devastated,” he said. “He was a great pilot and we will miss him terribly.” William Anders, a retired major general, has said the photo was his most significant contribution to the space program along with making sure the Apollo 8 command module and service module worked.

The photograph, the first color image of Earth from space, is one of the most important photos in modern history for the way it changed how humans viewed the planet. The photo is credited with sparking the global environmental movement for showing how delicate and isolated Earth appeared from space.

NASA Administrator and former Sen. Bill Nelson said Anders embodied the lessons and the purpose of exploration.

“He traveled to the threshold of the Moon and helped all of us see something else: ourselves,” Nelson wrote on the social platform X.

. . .

top 5 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[-] [email protected] 34 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

It’s a cliche, but at least he died doing what he loved. And at 90 with a career like his, going out like that is probably preferable to dying in a hospice bed.

Godspeed, mr Anders. And thank you for one of the most iconic, inspiring images ever made.

[-] [email protected] 32 points 1 month ago* (last edited 1 month ago)

I wonder if this was his version of "going for a hunt" but the rifle was already purposely broken.

Much respect, may you and yours find peace.

[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 month ago

Yeah, piloting a small plane at 90 sounded sus to me.

[-] [email protected] 24 points 1 month ago

By my count this means we're down to 6 living people who have flown to the moon, 4 of which have walked on the surface.

[-] [email protected] 7 points 1 month ago

Ok well that is kinda heartbreaking

this post was submitted on 08 Jun 2024
169 points (98.3% liked)

Space

8112 readers
43 users here now

Share & discuss informative content on: Astrophysics, Cosmology, Space Exploration, Planetary Science and Astrobiology.


Rules

  1. Be respectful and inclusive.
  2. No harassment, hate speech, or trolling.
  3. Engage in constructive discussions.
  4. Share relevant content.
  5. Follow guidelines and moderators' instructions.
  6. Use appropriate language and tone.
  7. Report violations.
  8. Foster a continuous learning environment.

Picture of the Day

The Busy Center of the Lagoon Nebula


Related Communities

🔭 Science

🚀 Engineering

🌌 Art and Photography


Other Cool Links

founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS