Gabrielle Giffords Attends Liftoff of Space Shuttle Discovery
Congressional Candidate Supports Shuttle Pilot, Cmdr. Mark Kelly
TUCSON/CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - Gabrielle Giffords attended the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery, piloted by her boyfriend, Cmdr. Mark Kelly, at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida today. As Kelly thundered into orbit over the bright blue Florida sky, Giffords watched from a NASA observation site, some two-and-a-half miles from Launch Pad 39B.
“I can’t think of a better place to be on the Fourth of July. This is NASA’s first-ever launch on Independence Day and as we sang our National Anthem just minutes before takeoff, I have never been as proud to be an American,” Giffords said. “Discovery and innovation have always driven Americans to search the unknown, and this Return-to-Flight mission is an important one for our country and the future of space exploration. I am very proud of Mark’s commitment to our country.”
Cmdr. Kelly, a Navy fighter pilot and veteran of Desert Storm, also piloted the Space Shuttle Endeavour on mission STS-108 in December, 2001.
Gabrielle witnessed the launch at Kennedy Space Center with her parents, sister, and Cmdr. Kelly’s family, including his twin brother, astronaut Scott Kelly. Scott Kelly is assigned to command STS-118, a Space Shuttle assembly mission to the International Space Station, scheduled to launch in 2007.
The current mission, STS-121, scheduled to last 12 days, will dock at the International Space Station and deliver equipment, supplies and an additional crewmember to the station. “The purpose of this mission is to support and contribute to the building of our International Space Station,” Giffords said. “America must continue to lead in science and technology and today’s launch was an example of the best our country has to offer.”
Giffords returns to Southern Arizona tomorrow, July 5, when she will visit Bisbee as she continues her campaign for U.S. Congress.
To watch coverage of the mission live on NASA TV, click here. To read about Cmdr. Mark Kelly, click here.
