Mark Kelly - will he go on Space Mission?

[aceplace57]

Mark Kelly is in a difficult spot. Commanding the final Shuttle mission is a huge responsibility and the culmination of his career.

However, his wife (Gabrielle Giffords) needs him for support as she recovers from her shooting. Especially since it's a brain injury. The doctors say patients respond better when loved ones are present.

I'm a little surprised Kelly hasn't made the decision already. Leaving his wife now would be a PR disaster. I'm not sure he could return to earth without getting tarred and feathered. :p

I realize this is a family decision. I'm putting it in MPSIMS because it's pretty mundane. The dude can do whatever he wants. He has to face Gabby whenever she recovers.

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/01/25/Kelly-weighs-Giffords-rehab-NASA-duties/UPI-46251295973656/

Another concern is the safety of the mission. Kelly has spent over a year training. Plus he has previous experience in space. Substituting a new commander at the last minute could be an issue. But, his place is still with his wife IMHO.

[Machine Elf]

Substituting a new commander at the last minute could be an issue.

It wouldn't be the first time. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13#Crew)

[Mtgman]

Personally I think they should set up a feed for her so he can videoconference into her hospital room and spend a couple hours chatting with her each day. She can watch him float around and know he's doing what he loves and keeping the program on track(the amount of time and training invested in a shuttle commander is obscene). Any wife of an astronaut knows they're very driven and focused people. The mission would be about two weeks. Here's some mission info (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/STS-134). They have a lot to do for the six man crew, and they've been training for years. Having a commander with four flights under his belt would be a huge asset to this team. If he had been diagnosed with cancer, but she needed to be at the capitol to handle an important committee assignment, would her place be at his side, or representing the constituents who elected her? It's a tough call, but I think given the kind of driven people they both clearly are, I think choosing to go ahead with this mission would not damage their relationship. They largely lived apart(her in Arizona/DC and him in Houston) and still apparently maintained a good bond. It's also three months away, so he's got time to see how she's doing and get things nicely stabilized.

Enjoy,
Steven

[Marley23]

I have no idea whether he'll go or not. Judging whether or not he should go seems callous. He's dealing with the pressures of a complex job and a family tragedy.

[aceplace57]

A two week mission? Ok that's not too bad. At least he won't be in the space station for several months. His brother is there now.

It's a tough call. I can't imagine the pressure he's under. If he doesn't go, that could eventually strain the marriage too.

[cochrane]

This isn't necessarily a decision he'll be making by himself. From all accounts, although she can't speak, Gabrielle Giffords seems to have normal awareness of the world around her, recognizes her husband, and can communicate, although by gestures and body language. I'm sure they'll discuss together whether he should stay by her side or command the space shuttle. It's imperative to her recovery that he include her input in his decisions and not treat her as if she were a vegetable.

[howye]

It wouldn't be the first time. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_13#Crew)

Look what happened then! ;)

Seriously, if one could magically heal Giffords for a few minutes and ask her what she wants, I would put money on her telling him to go. He can speak with or to her by phone in the time leading up to the actual mission, and two weeks in space is nothing considering the length of time it is going to take her to fully recover.

Its not like he is just now beginning his training in the program. As a guess, this is probably his last mission.

[Elendil's Heir]

I'm sure she'd want him to go, but if she can't express that clearly, I suspect he'll feel guiltily duty-bound to stay with her. Whatever he decides, there will be criticism, alas.

[outlierrn]

I could respect either decision, it would depend a lot on specifics we are not likely to know until well after the fact, if ever.

[CatherineZeta]

I don't think it's right for anyone to judge him for his choice or to say where his "place" is. If she wants him to go, then he should go. I know that if anything happened to me, and my hypothetical spouse had a major career opportunity, especially if it's something like going into space which most people will never, ever do, I would definitely want him to go for it and not feel guilty about it. She's got the rest of her family for support and she can keep in daily contact with him.

[cochrane]

Either decision Kelly makes will be bittersweet. This won't be Kelly's first time in space. He's flown on the shuttle three times before, the last time also as commander on board the Discovery, on STS-124 in 2008.

On the other hand, his twin brother Scott is also an astronaut, and is currently assigned as the commander of the International Space Station's current mission. If Mark Kelly does fly on board the Endeavor, it will be the first time that two siblings have flown in space simultaneously.

[gardentraveler]

I don't think the Kellys are going to be in space together if Mark goes. It was originally scheduled to work out, but I believe that Scott comes back in March and Scott's mission was delayed till April. (I follow both of them on Twitter and one of them shared the info last month.)

I don't envy anyone this decision-making process.

[cochrane]

Ah, you're right, the two missions won't overlap. Still, twins can be confusing, can't they? You obviously meant to say that Mark Kelly's mission is delayed until April. ;)

[Nava]

I am evidently not Gabrielle Gifford, but if my husband gave up an astronaut spot to come stand at my bedside when there's nothing he can actually do to make me better medically speaking, I'd get better fast just so I could yell at him.

I imagine he's got a better idea of what she'd want than anybody here, even if she wasn't able to communicate.

[Declan]

I am evidently not Gabrielle Gifford, but if my husband gave up an astronaut spot to come stand at my bedside when there's nothing he can actually do to make me better medically speaking, I'd get better fast just so I could yell at him.

I imagine he's got a better idea of what she'd want than anybody here, even if she wasn't able to communicate..

Speaking as a guy , I would disagree. Unless there is some asteroid coming our way and my mission was tasked with taking it out, then it refers back to the old in sickness and health thing. My duty is beside her, regardless if she wants me there.

Declan

[Bijou Drains]

Interesting that there are no rookies on that mission, they have all flown in space before.

My guess is if she says it's OK for him to go he will go. I would think they would not want to wait until the last minute to decide.

[Elendil's Heir]

"OK, honey, if you jump up and down and scream, I'll stay here with you. Otherwise, I'll assume it's all right with you that I go on this shuttle mission...."

[gardentraveler]

Ah, you're right, the two missions won't overlap. Still, twins can be confusing, can't they? You obviously meant to say that Mark Kelly's mission is delayed until April. ;) Heh. Does it help to know that I was thinking the names correctly?

And, yeah, there's the sickness/health thing, but....it's the last shuttle mission and he's the commander? I'd want my husband to make that trip too and let other family and friends fill in for the two weeks.

[CatherineZeta]

.
My duty is beside her, regardless if she wants me there

I respect your views and I do believe that's admirable in a way, but I'd be PISSED if I told my husband to go and he said something like that, as if I'm incapable of knowing what's best for me.

[Dallas Jones]

Several posters are wondering if Mark Kelly will decide to go on his next mission, when it isn't his decision to make at all, it will be up to the mission doctors at NASA.

I not only think that it is extremely unlikely that he will be allowed to fly this next mission but I bet he is grounded permanently. The psychological stress from his wife's shooting will be with him for many years. He won't be allowed to command the last shuttle mission.

[CatherineZeta]

Several posters are wondering if Mark Kelly will decide to go on his next mission, when it isn't his decision to make at all, it will be up to the mission doctors at NASA.

I not only think that it is extremely unlikely that he will be allowed to fly this next mission but I bet he is grounded permanently. The psychological stress from his wife's shooting will be with him for many years. He won't be allowed to command the last shuttle mission.

Never thought about that aspect, good point.

[Elendil's Heir]

That may be true, but it wouldn't surprise me if the NASA doctors will ask him point-blank, "Given all that's happened, do you still want to go?"

[Dallas Jones]

That may be true, but it wouldn't surprise me if the NASA doctors will ask him point-blank, "Given all that's happened, do you still want to go?"

Perhaps, but mission success or failure is not determined by the wishes of individuals. They all know that they are part of a much larger team, with team goals to meet, nothing personal.

Ken Mattingly was kicked off Apollo 13 due to exposure to measles. He didn't get the measles.

There is a lot at stake in each mission and Mike Kelly's emotional stability has been compromised. I could be wrong about his being grounded, I expect that there will be an answer as soon as his wife stabilizes further.

What I really expect is a heartfelt announcement from him deciding not to go. That saves face for him and for NASA. The actual decision has probalby already been made.

[Mr. Excellent]

There is a lot at stake in each mission and Mike Kelly's emotional stability has been compromised.

I'm not sure this aspect is all that important, honestly. I mean, we've sent a *lot* of people into space. Have none of them had a spouse or family member with cancer? An elderly parent in a hospice? A sick kid?

[aceplace57]

Today (Jan 28) is the 25th Anniversary of the Challenger tragedy. It's also another reminder of how dangerous space missions are.

If Kelly takes this final mission and something were to happen....

I'd imagine that's something he's already considered. Normally the risk would be acceptable for an astronaut. That's what they sign up to do. But, right now it would be devastating for his wife as she tries to recover from the shooting.

[aceplace57]

Kelly's decision will probably be announced tomorrow (Feb 4).
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2011/02/03/giffords-astronaut-husband-announce-decision-shuttle-launch/

One point that hasn't been raised is how busy they keep people in rehab. I had rehab on my knee and they worked my butt off. Getting woke up at 5:30 AM. We were in the gym by 8. We had stuff scheduled all day. Visitors only chance to come by was in the evening.

So, it's not like Kelly is sitting there all day long holding her hand. I personally wouldn't leave my wife under these circumstances. But, the decision is his to make and he's the one that has to face his wife afterward.

It'll be interesting to see what he has to say tomorrow.

[Moonlitherial]

Based on the fact that his temporary replacement is not participating in the press conference he's probably going. The little I know about his wife tells me this will keep her from kicking his ass.

[Bijou Drains]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/02/04/giffords-astronaut-husban_n_818586.html

He is going to space

[Elendil's Heir]

CNN.com concurs: http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/04/nasa.shuttle.kelly/index.html?hpt=T2

[aceplace57]

I read that Kelly may be a caregiver to his wife for many, many years. In that context, leaving for a couple weeks while she is cared for in rehab might not be a bad idea. It may be his final mission.

Everyone, wants to believe Gabby will be in Congress making speeches & political deals next year. But, the reality might not be so rosy. James Brady depends heavily on his wife for care. That's not unusual with severe brain injuries.

I wish the family well and pray she recovers.

[aceplace57]

Sounds like Kelly has a lot of driving in his future. Easy to forget how huge Texas is.

In making his decision, Kelly must weigh more than a two-week flight away from his wife, however. Preparation for the mission requires 60 hours a week of intensive training, and Kelly is already a month behind. If he stays at the apartment near the the hospital where Giffords is a patient, he'll also have to commute two hours a day to NASA. If Kelly returns to his home near NASA, he'll face a a three- to four-hour trip to and from the hospital for which he'll have little time during training.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41421908/ns/technology_and_science-space/

[The Second Stone]

I'm gonna say no. He's been before and the chance of him dying is something like 1 in 25, which would leave her in a really tight spot. I don't see that they have children, which would probably favor towards a no.

[Bijou Drains]

He expects her to be at the launch

http://www.wral.com/news/technology/story/9061791/

[Elendil's Heir]

He'll go, and I've come to think that indeed he should.

[Quasimodem]

He's going, and if she's the woman I believe her to be, she will have insisted.

Women! Don't EVER underestimate 'em.:)

Take it from a guy who knows.

Q