Mark Kelly To Make Space Shuttle Launch Final Announcement On Friday
February 4th, 2011 - 9:14 pm ICT by GDBy Madhuri Dey
Feb 4, (THAINDIAN NEWS) Final announcement of whether Mark Kelly will act as the commander of Endeavour is expected to come out on Friday after a press conference where the issue will be discussed between the NASA authorities. Astronaut Mark Kelly was supposed to be the commander in charge of the space shuttle Endeavour but the decision underwent some reconsideration after Mark Kelly’s wife U.S. Representative Gabrielle Giffords was shot last month.
Ever since Gabrielle Giffords was shot on January 8 at a shopping store in Tucson, Arizona, along with several others, husband Mark Kelly has been devoting all his time beside his bed-ridden wife. Doctors however have announced that Gabrielle Giffords is showing signs of recovery. She is presently under going treatment in Houston. NASA had already named Mark Kelly as the commander for Endeavour before Gabrielle Giffords was shot. Endeavour which is a STS-134 shuttle mission is scheduled for an April 19 launch. However, the all of a sudden tragic incident left Mark Kelly in a doubt and it the astronaut husband of the politician spent the last month thinking of whether he should step down as the commander of Endeavour.
Amidst all the doubts and debates, NASA has already suggested for a backup commander which is expected to be taken by Rick Sturckow who has already joined the crew training. According to sources, it was reported on Thursday that NASA will be holding a press meet at the Johnson Space Center in Houston where the issue will be taken up, following which the final announcement is expected to come up. Since Rick Sturckow’s name is not listed in the press conference meet it is being speculated that it will ultimately Mark Kelly who will be taking up the charges.
- Shot US congresswoman Giffords' husband Kelly to lead last Endeavour shuttle mission - Feb 05, 2011
- Astronaut Mark Kelly to resume NASA mission training - Feb 05, 2011
- US Congresswoman's husband to retire from NASA - Jun 23, 2011
- Shot US Congresswoman Giffords to attend husband's shuttle launch on April 19 - Mar 11, 2011
- Shot US Congresswoman Giffords speaking, but has no memory of being shot - Mar 12, 2011
- Astronaut Mark Kelly Meets Injured Wife Gabrielle Giffords - Jan 09, 2011
- Shuttle Endeavor docks at International Space Station - May 18, 2011
- Weather 70 percent 'go' for space shuttle Endeavour launch - Apr 29, 2011
- NASA calls off Endeavour launch attempt due to technical problem - Apr 30, 2011
- Shuttle Endeavour lands safely - Jun 01, 2011
- Shot congresswoman Giffords to move to Texas rehabilitation clinic - Jan 20, 2011
- US Congresswoman may be able to attend husband's shuttle launch - Mar 09, 2011
- Gabrielle Giffords is talking and singing - Feb 15, 2011
- Giffords' husband keeps agonizing vigil by her side - Jan 12, 2011
- U.S. Rep. Giffords devastated by news of shooting deaths, but physical condition improving - Apr 24, 2011
Tags: astronaut, authorities, crew training, debates, dey, doubts, final announcement, gabrielle giffords, johnson space center, madhuri, mark kelly, nasa, politician, rick sturckow, shopping store, shuttle mission, space shuttle endeavour, space shuttle launch, tragic incident, tucson arizona