# Mark Kelly - will he go on Space Mission?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [January 25, 2011, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941 "2011-01-25T17:49:59Z")
**Posts on this page:** 15
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@CatherineZeta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CatherineZeta)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2011, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/21 "2011-01-27T00:20:13Z")
> [@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.
Never thought about that aspect, good point.
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2011, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/22 "2011-01-27T15:06:00Z")
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?”
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### Author:  [@Dallas\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dallas_Jones)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2011, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/23 "2011-01-27T18:54:08Z")
> [@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?”
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.
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### Author:  [@Mr.Excellent](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Excellent)
#### Post date: [January 27, 2011, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/24 "2011-01-27T19:02:20Z")
> [@Dallas\_Jones](#):
>
> 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?
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [January 28, 2011, 7:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/25 "2011-01-28T07:38:56Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 3:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/26 "2011-02-04T03:04:12Z")
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/](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.
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### Author:  [@Moonlitherial](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moonlitherial)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/27 "2011-02-04T13:02:14Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/28 "2011-02-04T14:55:39Z")
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>
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He is going to space
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/29 "2011-02-04T16:53:04Z")
[CNN.com](http://CNN.com) concurs: [Kelly: I know wife wants me to command shuttle - CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/02/04/nasa.shuttle.kelly/index.html?hpt=T2)
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/30 "2011-02-04T17:43:27Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/31 "2011-02-04T18:31:55Z")
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/](http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41421908/ns/technology_and_science-space/)
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### Author:  [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/32 "2011-02-04T20:05:22Z")
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.
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### Author:  [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)
#### Post date: [February 4, 2011, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/33 "2011-02-04T22:27:49Z")
He expects her to be at the launch
[http://www.wral.com/news/technology/story/9061791/](http://www.wral.com/news/technology/story/9061791/)
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### Author:  [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2011, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/34 "2011-02-05T02:40:33Z")
He’ll go, and I’ve come to think that indeed he should.
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### Author:  [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)
#### Post date: [February 5, 2011, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mark-kelly-will-he-go-on-space-mission/568941/35 "2011-02-05T03:25:44Z")
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
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