Injured Congresswoman's Husband To Command Shuttle Flight
CAPE CANEVERAL, Fla. (CBS4) - Astronaut Mark Kelly, the husband of wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will command Space Shuttle Endeavour's final flight in April.
The decision came almost one month to the day that Rep. Giffords was gunned down outside a grocery store in Tucson, Arizona.
Kelly has been on leave from NASA since the shooting, but said he's looking forward to rejoining his crew and finishing the training.
"I appreciate the confidence that my NASA management has in me and the rest of my space shuttle crew," Kelly said.
Giffords spent two weeks in intensive care with Kelly at her bedside. She suffered a gunshot wound to the head during the shooting.
The Congresswoman has been moved to Houston for what doctors expect will be a lengthy rehabilitation. Doctors describe Giffords' recovery as moving at "lightning speed."
Kelly's identical twin brother Scott is currently commanding the International Space Station.
Space Shuttle Endeavour's final flight is targeted for April 19.
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