1933-

American astronaut who was among the first to orbit the moon. Anders graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and earned a master's degree in nuclear engineering from the Air Force Institute of Engineering. His studies focused the effect of radiation exposure on astronauts. In December 1968 he and his crewmates completed 10 lunar orbits on Apollo 8. Anders was also selected as backup pilot for Apollo 11. He later monitored space research for civilian organizations and was an aerospace industry executive.