Mark Kelly, Gabrielle Giffords' Astronaut Husband, Trains For Shuttle Mission (VIDEO)

Mark Kelly, the astronaut husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), is quickly making preparations following his publicly-announced decision to fly on the space shuttle Endeavour's final mission in April.

On Friday, Kelly said that he would resume training for the two-week mission set for launch later this year, an enterprise shown in the latest video below. He also said he expected his wife to be present for the countdown.

The Associated Press reports on the buzz behind the mission:

Kelly's mission already was set to be one of the highest profile shuttle flights ever. It will be Endeavour's last voyage and the next-to-last for the entire 30-year shuttle program, and will feature the delivery of an elaborate physics experiment by a Nobel prize winner.

The period leading up to Kelly's announcement was marked with a large degree of speculation about whether he would travel to space in the face of his wife's devastating injury, caused by a gunshot to the head last month in Tucson.

But Kelly said recent progress in his wife's health had left him hopeful about the degree of recovery that she'd make before the beginning of his mission.

"I have every intention that she'll be there for the launch," Kelly said. "I've already talked to her doctors about it."

WATCH:

Comments

[Buddhabman]

02:35 AM on 02/17/2011

You don't become a space shuttle commander without an extraordinary ability compartmentalize and to focus.

[Paul Sta]

05:06 PM on 02/09/2011

Good for him Im sure thats what Gabby wanted, they really do seem like a nice couple, and i'm known to be sort of a prick.

[bryanzth]

11:37 AM on 02/08/2011

Wonderful!

BZ.

[billybobt]

08:45 AM on 02/08/2011

If the tables were turned the woman would be showing up to congress in her husbands stead. In this case the man goes back to his job taking pictures and playing with mice.

Somethings on autopilot here and its not just the space shuttle.

[Majorbob53]

11:27 AM on 02/08/2011

You obviously know nothing about military service, the oath of office we swear to and the obligation we in the military are oblidged to fulfill. If the tables were turned, I seriously doubt Rep. Giffords would be commanding the next shuttle mission.

[bryanzth]

11:37 AM on 02/08/2011

I think you need to unsubscribe, since these are very unkind comments.

BZ.

[RitaS]

02:18 AM on 02/08/2011

Each individual American can speculate the numerous motives.. Do I or don't I.... It is NOT the American's prerogative to condemn or condone two people's actions.

WHATEVER action THEY choose are btwn themselves.....

[TheIndependenceParty]

12:24 AM on 02/08/2011

Despite DellaStreet49's diatribes and tantrums, ... it should be said that Gabby's recovery will take months and months before she gets back the skills which she will own for the rest of her life. She has been told it is a long haul, and Mark Kelly, her husband understands the same thing.

Take an astronaut and sit him in a chair next to his beloved wife for a month, ... and he will go bonkers to be able to do something, ... his work most of all. Take a Congresswoman and tell her to watch her astronaut husband sit still for a month, ... and she would explain that is like keeping a kitten in a shoebox.

In the end, ... it is a decision that Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly make as a couple. They do not need our help, and that includes you, Della! They know what they each need the most.

In the end, Mark Kelly will fly this last Shuttle Mission with a sound purpose and spirit, ... and Gabby Giffords, the wife he adores, ... will perform equally difficult work back here on Earth so she can welcome him home with a hug and a word of welcome.

They do not need my words of encouragement, nor others' words of disdain. They both know their jobs and do them well.

[Ganeshari]

05:34 PM on 02/08/2011

Thank you for your wise and sane comment. My sentiments exactly.

[TheIndependenceParty]

12:25 AM on 02/08/2011

Did you date Mark?

[RitaS]

02:07 AM on 02/08/2011

Wow, unless you know them personally, how much more hateful can you be???

[LastLiberalRepublican]

11:20 PM on 02/07/2011

Highly offensive and thoughtless comment!

[PresidentRobertBooth]

02:46 AM on 02/08/2011

I think he knows his wife better than you know either of them. If he feels she would have wanted him to go, then that's all there is to it.
 
So please, piss off.

[Anissa Hargis]

10:27 PM on 02/07/2011

God speed Astronaut Kelly. Continue to explore in the face of uncertainty. Show courage, just as your wife is doing in her recovery. Return safe and continue your journey with your brave wife.

[TheIndependenceParty]

12:28 AM on 02/08/2011

I've read your several comments, ... and wonder what is at the heart of your criticism of Mark Kelly doing his job as he sees it.

Please explain to us all. Your rants make you sound a bit off the edge. If you have reasons to write what you did, ... we might all benefit if you shared your thoughts, rather than throwing a tantrum.

[bryanzth]

11:41 AM on 02/08/2011

This is uncalled for. You don't make comments like that unless you don't care.

You should unsubscribe.

BZ.

[maab76]

10:05 AM on 02/08/2011

Agreed with our assessment. What a trememdous couple! What a supportive family! What high achieving individuals! They serve as a model for all.

[Cabo600]

09:04 PM on 02/07/2011

While they have exhibited their tremendous bond as a couple, Gabby and Mark each have their own missions ahead of them as well, and I'm sure these two courageous people will be giving it their all.

[noaxe397]

07:59 PM on 02/07/2011

Has anyone considered the unthinkable?  More Americans have perished on space shuttles than any other program.
 
What if, heaven forbid, something happens to him on this mission.  It's space travel, that thing has so much potential uncontrollable power it's still scary even 30 years later, NASA is under budget constraints.
 
Just think about it.  What if the worst happens to that crew.
 
Yes, that could happen on ANY mission he signs up for.
 
Under different circumstances his wife would grieve and go on with her life.  Without him, what happens with her at this critical point in HER life?
 
Ever think of that?

[been2there]

09:11 PM on 02/07/2011

I suspect that Kelly and Giffords have and do think about it. Life is not risk-free. In Rep. Giffords's shoes, I would want my husband to go.

[noaxe397]

11:12 PM on 02/07/2011

Of course they do, or did.  but now things are very diffferent and while she MAY be able, in her current state, to tell him to go, that still doesn't cover what happens to her in her present state if the unthinkable happens to him.
 
And that is why it is wrong for him to go right now.

[Ganeshari]

12:27 AM on 02/08/2011

She would grieve and go on with her life.

[KIVPossum]

07:01 PM on 02/07/2011

Know that was a difficult decision to make. Wish the best for both of them

[Demarcus Jackson]

06:58 PM on 02/07/2011

The degree of self-righteous and sanctimonious judgement of Kelly's decision to continue training for this space program would be surprising if I were surprised by the tendency of human being to enact unwarranted judgment upon others.

I don't know what I would personally do if I were in Kelly's place, but that's the point---my lot in life is entirely unique as is Kelly's. I do believe that the bond and love between Kelly and Giffords is strong and enduring. Moreover, I would like to believe that each understood each other's public service roles, respective jobs, and the responsibilities and dangers inherent in such professions.

I for one fully support Kelly's decision. I also fully support and wish nothing but a speedy recovery for Giffords.

[Ganeshari]

12:33 AM on 02/08/2011

Agree. "Kelly said recent progress in his wife's health had left him hopeful about the degree of recovery that she'd make before the beginning of his mission." and "I have every intention that she'll be there for the launch." Sound like promising statements to me. A young man who suffered a bullet to the brain and rehabilitated at the same hospital as Gabrielle posted something surprising and encouraging on the internet recently. He said he couldn't even sit up on his own when he went in but ran out of there a month later. He is now a graduate student getting a degree in Chemical Engineering.

[TheIndependenceParty]

12:35 AM on 02/08/2011

Thank you, DeMarcus, ... Seems some believe that when a tragedy strikes, we are supposed to hunker down, shrivel up and wither to a shadow of ourselves. Human nature asks more than that of us if we listen up. F&F for sheer understanding, ... Thanks.

Your words are clear, ... and wise. We can not know what Kelly and Giffords share. It's not ours.

One will fly high, and another will hopefully fly low and soon. Prayers go with them both, ... We'll watch.

[Demarcus Jackson]

12:07 PM on 02/08/2011

I appreciate that. Thanks.
http://www.facebook.com/demarcus.i.jackson

[XFilesTheTruthIsOutThere]

06:06 PM on 02/07/2011

Go Mark! We still have you and Gabby in our prayers!

[KellyRyan]

05:40 PM on 02/07/2011

Safe journey Mark. I know from what you have shared about Gabrielle, she's delighted to support your path.