Milt Windler, one of the four key Mission Control leaders who orchestrated the round-the-clock efforts to safely return the Apollo 13 crew to Earth in 1970, has passed away at the age of 94.
According to a brief notice posted online, Windler died on Thursday surrounded by his family.
Aeronautics pioneer Windler was appointed as a NASA flight director in 1968, following his work on recovery operations during the Mercury and Gemini programs. His tenure included leading flight controller shifts for Apollo 8’s first circumlunar mission and Apollo 10’s lunar landing rehearsal. He also oversaw operations for Apollo 12, Apollo 14, and Apollo 15, the second, third, and fourth moon landings. Later, he served as flight director for all three crewed missions to Skylab, the United States’ first space station.
Does anyone know if his daughter ever gave an interview about the Apollo 13 crisis? I’d love to hear her perspective on his home life during those tense days.
I had no idea he also directed the Skylab missions. He really was the backbone of early US spaceflight operations for nearly two decades.
What an incredible legacy. Guiding Apollo 13 home was nothing short of miraculous. Rest in peace, Milt.