Former NASA Flight Director Milt Windler Dies at Age 94

Milt Windler, one of four NASA flight directors who managed Mission Control to bring the Apollo 13 astronauts safely home in 1970, died on Thursday at the age of 94. Ars Technica and collectSPACE.com both reported his death, noting that he died surrounded by his family according to an online notice. [1][2]

Windler began working at NASA in 1959 during Project Mercury after previously serving as a jet fighter pilot. He originally worked in recovery operations during the Mercury and Gemini programs before being promoted to flight director in 1968. [1][3]

During his career at NASA, Windler supported several landmark space missions. He led shifts for the Apollo 8 circumlunar flight and the Apollo 10 lunar dress rehearsal, as well as moon landings including Apollo 12, Apollo 14, and Apollo 15. He later served as flight director for three crewed missions to the Skylab space station. [1][3]

For their critical role in guiding the crippled Apollo 13 spacecraft back to Earth, Windler and the other three mission operations flight directors were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Richard M. Nixon. [1][3]