CASPER
New member
NASA announced Thursday a backup commander, if necessary, to take the place of the astronaut-husband of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who was wounded in a mass slaying and recovering in a Tucson, Ariz., hospital.
Officially, Capt. Mark Kelly, who is Giffords' husband of more than three years, is still the commander for the final scheduled flight of the space shuttle program, NASA said. The shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch on April 19 on a trip to the International Space Station.
Kelly was named commander of the final shuttle flight in 2009 and has been in training for 17 months. Being chosen to lead the final shuttle flight is a big honor, NASA spokesman Michael Curie said.
Officially, Capt. Mark Kelly, who is Giffords' husband of more than three years, is still the commander for the final scheduled flight of the space shuttle program, NASA said. The shuttle Endeavour is scheduled to launch on April 19 on a trip to the International Space Station.
Kelly was named commander of the final shuttle flight in 2009 and has been in training for 17 months. Being chosen to lead the final shuttle flight is a big honor, NASA spokesman Michael Curie said.
