| 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 | 24d 14h 12m |
| Selection | 1996 NASA Group |
| Missions | STS-108, STS-121 |
| 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), and returned to space as the pilot of STS-121 in 2006. His twin brother, Scott J. Kelly, is also in the NASA Astronaut Corps.
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Early life and education
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. In 1994, he received an M.S. degree in aeronautical engineering from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School.
Naval career
Kelly became a naval aviator in December 1987, and received initial training on the A-6E Aircraft. He was then assigned to VA-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.
NASA career
Kelly was selected to be a pilot by NASA in 1996 (along with his twin brother Scott Kelly) and joined the astronaut corps in August of that year. Kelly has logged over 25 days in space, and has been selected to serve as Mission Commander for STS-124, scheduled for April of 2008. STS-124 will deliver components for the Japanese Kibo module to the International Space Station.
STS-108
Kelly was the pilot of STS-108 in 2001, a mission that visited the International Space Station, delivering over three tons of equipment and supplies to the orbiting outpost. During the mission he traveled over 4.8 million miles, and orbited the Earth 185 times over 12 days.
STS-121
Kelly was again pilot for STS-121 in July of 2006, the second Return to flight mission following the loss of Columbia in 2003.
Personal
Kelly's twin brother, Scott J. Kelly is also a NASA astronaut, and was the commander of STS-118 in August of 2007. Kelly's parents, Richard and Patricia Kelly, reside in Flagler Beach, Florida. He has two children. He is married to U.S Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona.
References
- ^ Mark E. Kelly Biographical Data, NASA. Accessed March 25, 2007.
