Tucson News NowMark Kelly speaks about mission, Giffords, after Endeavour lands

Mark Kelly speaks about mission, Giffords, after Endeavour lands

Posted: Updated:
By Julie Steigerwald - email

CAPE CANAVERAL, FL (KOLD) - He's back on Earth after commanding the next-to-last space shuttle mission, but Mark Kelly didn't call his wife right away.

During a press conference following Endeavour's early morning landing at Kennedy Space Center, Kelly said he didn't want to wake up Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords so early in the morning.  Giffords is at a Houston rehab center where she's recovering from her bullet wound. "So, I just actually sent her mother an email," Kelly went on to say, "and said, 'the first thing I'd do when I leave this press conference - let me know if she's awake and then I'm gonna call her.'"

Giffords traveled to Cape Canaveral for the launch on May 16.  But Kelly didn't think it was wise for her to come to the landing.  "I mean one of the reasons we didn't have her come down here is because it was really late in the night. And what she's going through now is you know, very physically challenging and difficult thing. Very busy schedule; certainly would be disruptive."

When asked what he would say to her when he first talks to her, "You know that I really miss her- and can't wait to get back there tomorrow to see her. So we're all looking forward to spending time with our families."

Endeavour and its six astronauts returned just as the shuttle Atlantis arrived at the launch pad for the final shuttle mission. After 123 million miles over 25 flights, Endeavour is now bound for a museum in California, shipping out early next year.

Kelly said the mission was a very challenging one, and he commended the work that the crew did at the International Space Station.

Copyright 2011 KOLD. All rights reserved. AP contributed to this report.

  • More Top Headlines

  • Monday, May 21 2012 12:17 PM EDT2012-05-21 16:17:25 GMT
    Streetcar construction may slow down motorists heading downtown even more over the next two days. Workers are starting to transport large segments of rail today at 5:00 a.m. The rail work will take
    The rail work will take place today and tomorrow from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. both days.

  • Monday, May 21 2012 12:10 PM EDT2012-05-21 16:10:33 GMT
    A woman hiking on a trail near the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Dove Mountain died Saturday afternoon of apparent cardiac arrest, Northwest Fire Capt. Adam Goldberg said. The woman was hiking with a group on
    The woman was hiking with a group on the Wild Burro Trail in the Tortolita Mountains when she suffered a heart attack.

  • Monday, May 21 2012 12:09 PM EDT2012-05-21 16:09:35 GMT
    With the Hobby Lobby and other retailers moving into the old Mervyn's in east Tucson later this year, some real estate experts say they're seeing more businesses take up commercial leases. However more
    With the Hobby Lobby and other retailers moving into the Tucson area later this year, some real estate experts say they're seeing more businesses take up commercial leases.  However more tenants doesn't necessarily mean the local economy is actually improving.

  • Monday, May 21 2012 12:07 PM EDT2012-05-21 16:07:31 GMT
    A 30-year-old woman died in a rollover accident Sunday afternoon on the southwest side. Christy Anne Dalrymple was transported to a local hospital after the one-vehicle collision at West Irvington Road

    Christy Anne Dalrymple was transported to a local hospital after the one-vehicle collision at  West Irvington Road and South Westover Avenue around 12:50 p.m.

  • Monday, May 21 2012 12:05 PM EDT2012-05-21 16:05:48 GMT
    A wildfire is burning tonight in Southern Arizona near the small town of Dragoon off Interstate 10. The fire has burned near 200 acres, according to Cochise County Sheriff's spokesperson Carol Capas.
    The fire burned 85-100 acres near Dragoon, Cochise County Sheriff's spokesperson Carol Capas told Tucson News Now on Sunday.