posted 06-21-2011 11:16 AM               

Astronaut Mark Kelly Announces Plans to Retire from NASA

NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy Capt. Mark Kelly has announced his plans to retire from the agency on Oct. 1, 2011. He is a veteran of four space shuttle missions.

"We salute Commander Mark Kelly and his contributions to NASA as an extremely accomplished member of the astronaut corps and the final commander of the space shuttle Endeavour," said NASA Administrator Charles Bolden. "We deeply respect his achievements and his decision to focus on his family. We continue to send out our thoughts and prayers to Mark and his wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, as she makes a remarkable recovery. We know that Mark will continue to do great things for his country no matter what he chooses to do next. He has helped us build a space program poised to take advantage of the many opportunities in our bright future."

Kelly announced his retirement Tuesday on Facebook and via his Twitter account. On Facebook, he wrote, "This was not an easy decision. Public service has been more than a job for me and for my family." He added, "I know that as our space program evolves, there are those who will question NASA's future. I am not among them. There isn't a group more dedicated to its mission or more capable than the outstanding men and women of NASA."

Kelly commanded the STS-134 flight in May and STS-124 in 2008. He served as the pilot on STS-121 in 2006 and STS-108 in 2001. He joined NASA as an astronaut candidate in 1996.

Retirement from United States Navy and NASA

Today, I am humbled to announce that after 25 years of service to our country, I am retiring from the United States Navy and leaving NASA, effective Oct. 1.

Words cannot convey my deep gratitude for the opportunities I have been given to serve our great nation. From the day I entered the United States Merchant Marine Academy in the summer of 1982 to the moment I landed the Space Shuttle Endeavour three weeks ago, it has been my privilege to advance the ideals that define the United States of America.

This was not an easy decision. Public service has been more than a job for me and for my family. My brother continues to serve in NASA and in the Navy. My parents are retired police officers. And my wife Gabrielle proudly serves in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Early in my career, I served in Operation Desert Storm, flying combat missions from the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Today, the men and women of the armed forces continue to serve in combat zones throughout the globe. There is no higher calling. These are the people who inspire me with their sacrifice and timeless sense of duty.

In 1996, I began a 15-year career at NASA that has taken me to the International Space Station four times aboard space shuttles Endeavour and Discovery. Recently, I was given the unique opportunity to be the final commander of Endeavour. I will be forever grateful to the NASA managers who trusted me with this enormous responsibility during such a difficult period in my personal life and to those leaders in the United States Navy who prepared me to handle these challenging times.

I know that as our space program evolves, there are those who will question NASA's future. I am not among them. There isn't a group more dedicated to its mission or more capable than the outstanding men and women of NASA. Exploration is a critical component of what makes our country great. We will continue to explore and NASA will continue to lead that effort.

As life takes unexpected turns we frequently come to a crossroads. I am at this point today. Gabrielle is working hard every day on her mission of recovery. I want to be by her side. Stepping aside from my work in the Navy and at NASA will allow me to be with her and with my two daughters. I love them all very much and there is no doubt that we will move forward together. After some time off, I will look at new opportunities and am hopeful that one day I will again serve our country.

posted 07-28-2011 08:32 PM               

Keppler Speakers Exclusively Representing Astronaut Mark Kelly

Astronaut Mark Kelly will be accepting a limited number of speeches and personal appearances following his retirement from NASA and the US Navy. Kelly has signed a representation agreement with Keppler Speakers.

A veteran of the Gulf War and four space shuttle missions, Commander Kelly made history serving as commander of Space Shuttle Endeavour's final flight into space. He successfully led both Endeavour and Discovery, and with 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, 39 combat missions, and more than 50 days in space, Mark Kelly is one of America's most experienced pilots.

Already a celebrated American, Mark Kelly became the center of international attention after the January assassination attempt on his wife, US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords. Kelly and Giffords are writing a memoir about their experience which will be published late this year.

Jim Keppler, president of Keppler Speakers, says, "The whole world has been captivated by the story of Mark Kelly and Gabby Giffords. Mark's heroism at home, in space, and on the battlefield personify the leadership and strength that is needed in these challenging times." Mark Kelly says, "I look forward to sharing my story with audiences in a way that will allow healing and strength to emerge from a tragic event, and to remind everyone about the resiliency of the human spirit."

Keppler Speakers also represents such prominent public speakers as astronauts Jim Lovell and Eileen Collins, baseball legend Cal Ripken Jr., environmentalists Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Jean-Michel Cousteau, entertainer Garrison Keillor, political figures Bob Dole and Tom Daschle, and numerous others.

posted 10-06-2011 04:13 PM               

Credit: Official White House Photo by David Lienemann

Captain Mark Kelly speaks at his retirement ceremony with Vice President Joe Biden in the Secretary of War Suite in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, in Washington, D.C., Oct. 6, 2011.

Credit: Official White House Photo by David Lienemann

Captain Mark Kelly hugs his wife Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords after receiving the Legion of Merit from the Vice President.

posted 12-08-2013 07:52 PM               

NASA astronaut Mark Kelly named Director of Flight Crew Operations for World View Enterprises' human flights to the edge of space

World View Enterprises, Inc. (World View) has announced that former astronaut Mark Kelly will be Director of Flight Crew Operations. A retired U.S. Navy test pilot and Space Shuttle Commander, Kelly will play a central role in the start-up commercial space business, which began taking reservations today for its accessible, affordable trips to the edge of space via high-altitude balloon.

During his career in the U.S. Navy, Kelly accumulated 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft with 375 aircraft carrier landings. He flew 39 combat missions in Operation Desert Storm. He later joined NASA's astronaut corps, where he piloted two Space Shuttle flights and commanded two others, including Endeavour on its final mission.

"Having served 25 years as an aviator and astronaut, Mark possesses the prowess and acumen needed to pioneer this exciting new regime of flight at the edge of space," said Jane Poynter, CEO of World View. "As Director of Flight Crew Operations, he will provide the necessary technical expertise to our development program, as well as manage World View's one-of-a-kind flights and top-notch flight crew."

World View will provide a spectacular, nearspace human flight experience unlike any other suborbital flight experience being offered today. Passengers, dubbed "Voyagers," will board a luxuriously appointed, space-qualified capsule that will be gently lifted by a high-altitude balloon to 100,000 feet. There, they will float in the edge of space for approximately two hours, absorbing breathtaking views of the planet, the blackness of space and the stars, before gliding back to Earth.

"For decades, only select, highly trained individuals have been able to leave the boundaries of Earth and experience space travel," Kelly said. "Now, World View is offering private individuals the opportunity to gain a new perspective of the world we live in. I am thrilled to be part of this project and look forward to the start of operations."

posted 04-10-2015 01:08 PM               

I've launched to space four times, but today I'm excited to launch something else — my new website: astronautmarkkelly.com.

posted 05-06-2019 12:03 PM               

Some exciting news: we've put together a new website! Please check out our one stop shop for information about the campaign and how you can be part of this Mission.

posted 11-04-2020 08:00 AM               

With Senate win, Mark Kelly becomes 4th astronaut elected to Congress

Mark Kelly has won a seat in the U.S. Senate, making him only the fourth NASA astronaut to be elected to Congress.

Kelly, who launched four times into space before pursuing a career in politics, was successful in his bid to represent the state of Arizona in the U.S. Senate. Kelly, a Democrat, ran against incumbent Martha McSally, a Republican and former U.S. Air Force combat pilot. The special election was held to complete the six-year term of Senator John McCain, who died in 2018 (McSally was temporarily appointed by Arizona's governor after McCain's death).