About
William Alison "Bill" Anders is a retired United States Air Force (USAF) major general, electrical engineer, nuclear engineer, NASA astronaut, and businessman. He is most famous for being a member of the Apollo 8 crew in December 1968, the first mission to orbit the Moon. During the mission, Anders captured the iconic "Earthrise" photograph. His contributions span both space exploration and military service.
Career Timeline
Apollo 8 Mission
Flies on Apollo 8, the first manned mission to orbit the Moon, capturing the iconic Earthrise photo.
Ambassador to Norway
Appointed as the United States Ambassador to Norway.
Joins General Dynamics
Becomes Vice Chairman of General Dynamics, a major defense contractor.
Chairman of Heritage Flight Museum
Becomes chairman of the Heritage Flight Museum, preserving aviation history.
Space Exploration Legacy
Remains a respected figure for his contributions to space exploration and business.
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Last updated: February 24, 2026