US astronaut William Anders was killed in a small plane crash. He was 90 years old. He photographed the historic Earthrise from space 55 years ago. His death has been confirmed by his family.
Anders was piloting the small plane, which crashed off the coast of Washington on Friday (June 7). His son told the US media this information. Moreover, Anders was alone on the plane.
Sheriff Eric Peter told AFP teams had already been dispatched to search. However, his body has not been recovered so far.
Anders was a member of the Apollo 8 mission in 1968. Frank Borman and James Lovell were his companions in the lunar expedition of that time. They orbit the moon ten times. But did not land. Then successfully returned to earth.
Anders captured a picture of the bright blue Earth against the vast darkness of space. The surface of the moon can be seen in the foreground of the image.
An original version of his famous painting was sold at a Copenhagen auction in 2022 for €11,800.
Source: AFP
MSM
