‘Reasonable to Expect’ Giffords Husband Mark Kelly Will be on Shuttle Mission

[Nossida]

Source: ABC/USA Breaking News/Twitter

ABC News’ Rick Klein reports:

Astronaut Mark Kelly – the husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords -- plans to announce tomorrow whether he’ll command the final space shuttle mission in April, and a friend who talked to him today told ABC News that it’s “reasonable to expect” that Kelly will be on board.

Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., a former astronaut, said he spoke with Kelly this morning while he was in Washington to speak at the National Prayer Breakfast. Based on the progress Giffords has made in her recovery from a shooting attack last month, Nelson said he thinks Kelly will choose to be part of the shuttle Endeavor crew.

“He's going to make his announcement tomorrow. I don't know what that's going to be. It is a tough decision for him but I think it's reasonable to expect that he will go on to command this mission in April, because I think Gabby is significantly improving every day,” Nelson, D-Fla., said on ABC’s “Top Line” today.
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@USABreakingNews USA Breaking News
NBC- NASA will announce tomorrow that Mark Kelly, husband of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, will fly on the last space mission in April.
http://twitter.com/#!/usabreakingnews/statuses/33356696935989248





Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/thenote/2011/02/sen-bill-nelson-reasonable-to-expect-gabrielle-giffords-husband-mark-kelly-will-be-on-shuttle-missio.html

[onehandle]

1. Nothing here inhibits the hopefulness I have for Rep. Giffords. Fly Mark, Fly. nt

[DallasNE]

2. I Hope He Goes

I'm sure she would want it that way. Being the last mission makes it all the more special.

[trud]

3. he's already done this three times, no?

I'm glad she has family around in case he doesn't make it back. if it were his only chance, I can see going, but the fourth time?

[joshcryer]

5. Out of 3000 applicants to the astronaut program only a handful got chosen last year.

You fly as long as you are able to fly.

[trud]

7. You fly as long as you are able to fly.

Family be damned, I guess.

[joshcryer]

4. This is a very very good sign for Giffords' recovery. You can't expect him to leave her...

...in bad shape and you can probably expect her to have told him to go.

[peace13]

6. If he leaves her it is because he know that she is in the best care.

She is stable and not in danger of dying at this moment. He has to live his life as well, because more than likely she will require special care for the rest of her life. I hate to be a Debbie Downer but I take care of a person with special needs from brain trauma. Gifford's injuries are major and have disrupted her entire being. Her husband not only has to continue with his life, he has to designate who would take care of her in the event that he can not.

I wish the best for GG's recovery but I caution guessing about her condition by the actions of her husband.