William Anders’s iconic “Earthrise” photo did not just capture an image—it changed the way humanity views itself. As one of the astronauts who first saw the Earth from space, Anders captured an image that has become a symbol of the interconnectedness of all life on our planet. His passing in June 2024, at the age of 90 marked the loss of a visionary whose contributions to space exploration and environmental advocacy continue to inspire. Like Anders, I believe that sometimes the most profound insights come from stepping back and viewing situations from a larger vantage point.
Anders was orbiting the moon on December 24, 1968, when the Apollo 8 mission (the first lunar orbit mission) was able to snap a photo of the earth rising from behind the moon. The crew read from Genesis and wished their audience “Good night, good luck, a Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you—all of you on the good Earth.” (Source: NASA). Imagine seeing the Earth on television for the very first time. The iconic photo was published in Life Magazine and the rest is history, changing how humans saw themselves and the earth we inhabited.
Anders was born in Hong Kong as his father was a naval lieutenant based there. He followed in his father’s footsteps going to the U.S. Naval Academy, majoring in science, and after graduation, serving as a fighter pilot. He later received a Master of Science in nuclear engineering. He was selected by NASA for his expertise in radiation measurement and the environment. After retiring from NASA, he held upper management positions at General Electric, Textron, and as chairman and CEO at General Dynamics.
Anders’s story is not just one of exploration, but of transformation. His transition from fighter pilot to astronaut and later to environmental advocate highlights his ability to adapt and evolve in response to the changing world around him. His environmental advocacy after his time in space showed a deep understanding of the planet’s fragility and the need for sustainable practices. Sometimes, finding new solutions requires us to change direction entirely. I often encourage my students to embrace this adaptability—after all, the ability to see the bigger picture often leads to the most profound insights.
The lessons from Anders’s life are clear: innovation often requires the ability to adapt and embrace new perspectives. His journey from space exploration to environmentalism shows how one individual’s experiences can lead to profound shifts in how we view and protect our world. Just as Anders’s photograph shifted our collective view, we can all find new insights by taking a step back and reimagining the world around us.
Dearly Departed profiles are the musings of SC Innovates’ Director and SmartState Endowed Chair Laura B. Cardinal. Cardinal is an academic researcher and teaches Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation at the University of South Carolina (USC) Darla Moore School of Business Professional MBA program. Her series of courses includes the Strategic Innovation Certificate. Cardinal’s courses offer a unique fusion of innovation, business strategy, science, and technology.