William A. Anders

Anders took the “Earthrise” photo while in lunar orbit on December 24, 1968.

Quick Facts

William Anders was the lunar module pilot for Apollo 8.

On Christmas Eve in 1968, William Anders turned his camera toward Earth and captured the legendary Earthrise photo.

After leaving NASA, Anders was named as U. S. Chairman of the joint US/USSR technology exchange program for nuclear fission and fusion power.

Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders wearing his snoopy communications cap — Apollo 8 Astronaut William Anders, Lunar Module (LM) pilot, adjusts his helmet as he suits up for the Apollo 8 mission.
Credit NASA

Biography

William A. Anders

He was backup pilot for the Gemini XI, Apollo 11 flights, and was lunar module pilot for Apollo 8 — the first lunar orbit mission in December 1968.

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Astronaut William Anders' posing with a model of the Apollo spacecraft

Astronaut William A. Anders

NASA

Featured Story

NASA Releases New Earthrise Simulation Video

NASA has issued a new visualization of the events leading to one of the iconic photographs of the 20th Century…

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History

Apollo 8

"Round the moon and back…"

During a telecast on Christmas Eve 1968, the crew read verses from the first chapter of Genesis and wished viewers, “Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas and God bless all of you – all of you on the good Earth.”

Learn About Apollo 8

Three astronauts in spacesuits pose for the Apollo 8 crew portrait

The Apollo 8 Crew (L to R) Frank Borman, commander; William Anders, Lunar Module (LM) Pilot; and James Lovell, Command Module (CM) pilot pose in front of the Apollo mission simulator during training. The three served as the crew for the first manned Apollo mission launched aboard the Saturn V and first manned Apollo craft to enter lunar orbit.

Credit NASA