During the 1968 Apollo 8 mission, Bill Anders captured the photograph Earthrise while orbiting the Moon, providing the first human-eye view of Earth appearing over the lunar horizon. This event marked a milestone in human space exploration, occurring as he and his crew became the first people to exit low Earth orbit and travel to the Moon.
Military Service and Technical Education
A 1955 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Anders accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force. He initially served as a fighter pilot operating Northrop F-89 Scorpions and McDonnell F-101 Voodoo aircraft. Seeking to advance his technical expertise, he earned a Master of Science in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology in 1962. This academic background led to his assignment at the Air Force Weapons Laboratory, where he managed technical aspects of nuclear reactor programs.
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Selected as a NASA astronaut, Anders participated in the historic Apollo 8 flight. Along with Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, he completed ten orbits of the Moon in December 1968. Beyond his photographic contributions, he participated in live broadcasts from space, including the reading of Genesis on Christmas Eve. His contributions to the field of space exploration were later formally recognized by his induction into the United States Astronaut Hall of Fame and the International Space Hall of Fame.
Public Service and Corporate Leadership
Following his NASA tenure, Anders transitioned into roles within the federal government and private industry. He served as executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council from 1969 to 1973 and as chairman of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission from 1975 to 1976. He later represented the United States as Ambassador to Norway. In the corporate sector, he held senior executive positions at General Electric, Textron, and General Dynamics, ultimately serving as chairman and CEO of the latter before his retirement in the 1990s.
Fast facts
- Born: 1933, British Hong Kong
- Died: 2024, San Juan County
- Military Rank: Major General
- Notable Mission: Apollo 8
- Ambassadorial Post: United States Ambassador to Norway
- Key Award: Hubbard Medal (1969)
- Alma Mater: United States Naval Academy
- Burial Site: United States Naval Academy Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Bill Anders' role on the Apollo 8 mission?
He was a crew member on the first mission to take humans beyond low Earth orbit and reach the Moon, during which he took the famous Earthrise photograph.
Did Bill Anders serve in the military outside of the astronaut program?
Yes, he served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force and held the rank of major general before retiring from the reserve in 1988.
Achievements
- National Aviation Hall of Fame — 2004
- United States Astronaut Hall of Fame
- Affiliated with National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Educated at United States Naval Academy
- Worked as air force officer, engineer and astronaut