Unknown Space Hero: Lawrence Mendler

Lawrence Mendler died on September 15, 2008. You’ve never heard of him.

He fought in World War II. Miraculously survived when a bullet was deflected by his helmet. The helmet was destroyed. Years later, Mr. Mendler worked for Seeburg, a company that made juke boxes.

But just before that, he worked for RCA…and on America’s early space program.

Mr. Mendler worked in the blockhouse during Mercury and Gemini. He worked with an on-site team during launches which handled “launch sequencing.” That is, they monitored launches and gave real-time reporting and advice. It was stressful work. And it was probably even more stressful than normal on December 12, 1965.

Second Try For Gemini 6

Gemini 6 was originally scheduled for October, 1965. The crew was in the spacecraft, ready for launch. They were scheduled to perform America’s first docking in space. But the docking target failed to reach orbit, and the Gemini launch was scrubbed.

With a new mission (called Gemini 6a)—and now planning to rendezvous with Gemini 7—the same spacecraft and crew were on the pad in December. Lawrence Mendler and his team were in the blockhouse, monitoring the launch. When the countdown reached zero, the engines fired and smoke billowed from beneath the rocket. But the rocket did not move.

Seconds To Decide

What should be done? The vehicle might explode, killing the astronauts. Or it might not.

The astronauts in the spacecraft, Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford, could escape using ejection seats. It would be a dangerous and uncomfortable ride. And it would make another quick launch of Gemini 6a would be impossible. The mission would be ruined.

Schirra and Stafford decided not to eject. The launch sequencing team made the same decision. The rocket did not explode, the astronauts did not eject, and all would be ready for another launch attempt in 3 days.

Management’s Not Happy

The “suits” stormed into the blockhouse. They wanted to know why launch sequencing hadn’t demanded ejection. Management was not happy.

Schirra came into the room. “What are you yelling at these guys for?” Schirra asked. (paraphrasing from Mr. Mendler’s memory) “They made the right decision!” And indeed they had. On December 15th, Gemini 6 successfully rendezvoused with Gemini 7, flying nose-to-nose in orbit at 18,500 mph.

Afterward

Mr. Mendler continued to work for the space program as an RCA employee until just after the Apollo fire. He was on duty that day, but his shift ended before the fire occurred. He, like most of the nation, was stunned and upset at the death of the Apollo 1 crew—Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. He decided to leave the program.

Working for Seeburg wasn’t as exciting as working on the space program. But if a juke box malfunctions, nobody dies.

I knew Mr. Mendler. I am friends with his son. In my experience, Mr. Mendler was a friendly man, full of anecdotes and humor. You would never guess from his demeanor the serious responsibilities that he shouldered during his life. That’s a quality that I’d call “grace.”