GoKawiilNASA flight director Milt Windler, who led Apollo 13 rescue shift, dies at 94
Milt Windler, one of four Mission Control flight directors during the Apollo 13 crisis in 1970, has died at age 94, according to a family notice posted online. He joined NASA as a flight director in 1968, leading shifts for Apollo 8's lunar orbit, Apollo 10, the Apollo 12, 14 and 15 moon landings, and all three crewed Skylab missions.
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Windler's career spanned the most consequential years of American human spaceflight, from the first lunar orbit through the first space station, giving him a rare vantage point on NASA's early achievements. His death marks the loss of another member of the generation of engineers whose split-second decisions shaped the outcome of the Apollo 13 emergency.
- Windler was one of four flight directors who managed the Apollo 13 rescue in 1970.
- He also directed shifts for Apollo 8, 10, 12, 14, 15 and all three Skylab crewed missions.
- He was known by the call sign 'Maroon Flight' and died surrounded by family.
Apollo 13 Blu-ray Special Edition — This gripping dramatization captures the real tension of Mission Control's efforts, including flight directors like Milt Windler, during NASA's most harrowing rescue. It's a fitting way to honor his legacy and relive the ingenuity that brought the astronauts home safely.
See Apollo 13 Blu-ray Special Edition on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: arstechnica.com, 2026-10-03
Published there as: “Milt Windler, NASA flight director who helped save Apollo 13, dies at 94”
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