Mark E. Kelly
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This article documents a person who is currently in space. Information may change rapidly as the mission progresses. |
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| Mark Edward Kelly | |
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| NASA Astronaut | |
| Nationality | American |
| Status | Active |
| Born | February 21, 1964 Orange, New Jersey |
| Other occupation | Test pilot |
| Rank | Captain, USN |
| Space time | 32+ days |
| Selection | 1996 NASA Group |
| Missions | STS-108, STS-121, STS-124 |
| Mission insignia |
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Mark Edward Kelly (born February 21, 1964 in Orange, New Jersey) is an American astronaut. He first went into space as the pilot for STS-108 Endeavour December 5–17, 2001. He returned to space as the pilot of STS-121 Discovery July 4-17, 2006. On Kelly's third mission he is serving as commander of STS-124 Discovery launched May 31, 2008. His wife is U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly is the first NASA astronaut to fly in space while married to a member of the U.S. Congress. His twin brother, Scott J. Kelly, is also a NASA astronaut. The Kelly brothers are the first and only twins that have both ventured in to outer space.
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[edit] NASA career
Mark Kelly and his brother Scott were both selected to be pilots by NASA in 1996. They joined the astronaut corps in August of that year. Mark Kelly has logged over 32 days in space--and counting.
The shuttle is officially referred to as the Space Transportation System (STS). For more on naming procedures in the U.S. shuttle program see List of space shuttle missions. Mark Kelly's shuttle missions:
[edit] STS-124
Kelly is the commander of STS-124. He closed his statement to the public prior to liftoff on May 31, 2008 with the words "Standby for the greatest show on earth." This mission was Kelly's first that was not postponed due to weather.
He and his crew delivered the pressurized module for the Japanese Experiment Module for the International Space Station (ISS), also known as Kibo (hope). They brought a replacement part for a malfunctioning toilet on the ISS. Flying along personally with Kelly and his crew is Disney's action figure Buzz Lightyear.
This is an ongoing mission, see STS-124 for more.
[edit] STS-121
In July 2006, Kelly served as pilot for STS-121, the second Return to Flight mission following the loss of Columbia in 2003. Due to weather delays, STS-121 became the first Shuttle mission to launch on the Fourth of July. The main purposes of the mission were to test new safety and repair techniques introduced following the Columbia disaster of February 2003 as well as to deliver supplies, equipment, and European Space Agency (ESA) astronaut Thomas Reiter from Germany to the ISS. The transfer of Reiter to the ISS returned the station to a three crew member staffing level. Astronaut Lisa Nowak was a crewmate on this mission.
During the mission Kelly traveled over 5.28 million miles, and orbited the earth 202 times over 12 days and 18+ hours. See STS-121 for more.
[edit] STS-108
Kelly was the pilot of STS-108 in 2001, a mission that visited the International Space Station (ISS), delivering over three tons of equipment, supplies, and a fresh crew to the orbiting outpost. STS-108 returned to earth with the previous ISS crew of three men.
During the mission Kelly traveled over 4.8 million miles, and orbited the earth 185 times over 11 days and 19+ hours. See STS-108 for more.
[edit] Naval career
In December 1987, Kelly became a naval aviator and received initial training on the A-6E Aircraft. He was then assigned to VFA-115 in Atsugi, Japan and made two deployments to the Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier USS Midway, the second of which he flew 39 combat missions during Operation Desert Storm. After receiving his master's degree he attended the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School in June 1993. He has logged more than 4,500 hours in more than 50 different aircraft, and has over 375 carrier landings.
[edit] Personal
Born in Orange, New Jersey, Kelly was raised in West Orange, where he graduated from West Orange High School in 1982.[1] He then received a B.S. degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy, graduating with highest honors in 1986. While attending the USMMA, he achieved the position of Regimental Executive Officer; the second-highest position in the Regiment of Midshipmen, known informally as "RX". In 1994, he received an M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
Kelly served as a fellow of the National Committee on U.S. China Relations.
He has two children. Kelly is married to U.S Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Tucson, Arizona.[2] His parents are Richard and Patricia Kelly of Flagler Beach, Florida.
