William Anders

Date of Birth: October 17, 1933

Zodiac Sign: Libra

Biography

William Alison Anders is a retired United States Air Force Major General, engineer, and former NASA astronaut. He was born on October 17, 1933, in Hong Kong to American parents. Anders is best known for his role as Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo 8 mission, the first crewed spacecraft to leave Earth’s orbit, reach the Moon, orbit it, and return safely to Earth. Alongside Frank Borman and Jim Lovell, Anders made history when they became the first humans to witness and photograph an Earthrise from the Moon. He is also an accomplished engineer, having received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology. Anders retired from NASA and the Air Force in 1969, transitioning to a successful career in the private sector, including a notable tenure as the CEO of General Dynamics.

5 Interesting Facts about William Anders

1. William Anders took the iconic “Earthrise” photograph during the Apollo 8 mission, which became one of the most famous space photos ever taken.

2. Before joining NASA, he served as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force.

3. Anders was awarded the NASA Distinguished Service Medal and the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for his contributions to space exploration and national defense.

4. He played a key role in the development of nuclear safety standards while working at the Atomic Energy Commission.

5. Anders co-founded the Heritage Flight Museum in Burlington, Washington, which displays vintage aircraft and honors aviation history.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from William Anders

1. “We came all this way to explore the Moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the Earth.”

2. “To me, the Earth looked very fragile. I had a deep sense of its fragility.”

3. “Earthrise was the first time people ever saw their home planet from deep space. We were just amazed.”

4. “The vast loneliness up here at the Moon is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth.”

5. “Spaceflight is a great adventure, but it’s also a great responsibility.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the peak of his career, William Anders achieved an estimated net worth of $30 million, largely attributed to his executive roles in the private sector after retiring from NASA and the Air Force.