William Anders: The Man Behind the Iconic Earthrise Photo

Early Life and Education

William Alison Anders was born on October 17, 1933. He earned a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from the United States Naval Academy in 1955 and a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1962.

Astronaut Career

Anders became an astronaut in 1963 and was part of the crew of Apollo 8, which became the first crewed voyage to orbit the Moon. On December 24, 1968, Anders captured the iconic Earthrise photo, which has become a symbol of human exploration and environmental awareness.

Anders retired from NASA in 1973 and went on to serve as a U.S. Air Force major general and chairman of the National Commission on Space. He passed away on June 7, 2024.