William Anders
Astronaut

Date of Birth: October 17, 1933
Place of Birth: Hong Kong, China
Joined NASA: October 17, 1963
Left NASA: 1969
Space Flights: 1
Time in Space: 6.13 days
Number of EVAs: 0
MISSION ASSIGNMENTS

Gemini 11
Assignment: Backup Crew

Gemini 12
Assignment: Capcom

Apollo 8
Assignment: Prime Crew
Flight Duration: 6.13 days

Apollo 11
Assignment: Backup Crew and Capcom

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Received a Bachelor of Science degree from the US Naval Academy (1955)

  • Commissioned in the US Air Force as a fighter pilot.

  • After receiving a Master of Science Degree, Anders was assigned to the Air Force Weapons laboratory and given responsibility for technical management of nuclear power reactor shielding and radiation effects programs

  • Replaced Michael Collins as a crew member of Apollo 8 after Collins became ill. Along with Frank Borman and James Lovell, Anders became one of the first three humans to ever travel from the Earth to the Moon.

  • Left NASA in 1969 and served as the executive secretary of the National Aeronautics and Space Council from 1969 - 1973.

  • Appointed to the Atomic Energy Commission in 1973.

  • In 1975 he was chosen by President Ford to become the first Chairman of the new Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

  • Appointed the US Ambassador to Norway.

  • Left the US government in 1977. He worked for a number of large corporations including General Electric, Textron, and General Dynamics which he retired from in 1996.

  • He is President and Director of the Anders Foundation, which is a philanthropic organisation.

  • Holds the rank of Major General in the Air Force Reserve.