There isn’t much Mark Kelly hasn’t done to help America. From his service in the U.S. Navy to becoming an astronaut for NASA to serving as the Senator from Arizona today, Kelly has done it all. Now, in 2023, Senator Mark Kelly is getting recognition for his contributions to space exploration through his introduction into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
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How Tall is Mark Kelly?
Mark Kelly is reportedly 5′ 8” but it’s the height of his brother Scott Kelly that’s often of interest. This is because while spending 340 days in space, it has been reported that Scott grew between one and a half to two inches while living in zero gravity. But the growth wouldn’t last, as Scott shrunk after returning to Earth.
Kelly’s Multiple Successful Careers Serving His Country
Earning the title Captain Mark Kelly as a Sailor in the U.S. Navy after graduating with highest honors from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and later the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School would be more than enough to cap one’s accolades.
But considering the sheer volume of missions, carrier landings totaling over 375, and an outstanding medal count that includes several accolades such as two Distinguished Flying Crosses, and four Air Medals, it’s clear to say that Mark Kelly has done his part to serve our country.
Crazier still is that Kelly isn’t just known as a war hero because of his service in the Gulf War, but he has also been to space. Ironically, Kelly made the most headlines while working as an astronaut not for his adventures in space but rather for remaining home on Earth.
Astronaut Mark Kelly, STS-124 commander, makes an entry in the International Space Station ships log in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) Pressurized Module. Source: NASA
Because things operate differently in space and we’re still trying to figure it out, researchers are always looking for methods to puzzle out the details. What better way to do so than by looking at the changes that can occur between humans in space and on Earth, and what better subjects than identical twins?
So, it would be his brother Scott that would spend nearly a year in the heavens while Mark was the control down here on the third rock from the sun.
But Mark has been to space many times, even before the study with his brother. This includes his first trip aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on STS-108 in 2001 following the attack on 9/11.
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Mark Kelly would officially separate from both the U.S. Navy and NASA on October 1, 2011. This came as an unfortunate response to the needs of his wife, Gabrielle Giffords. Giffords was working to rehabilitate from an attempted assassination as one of the 2011 Tucson mass shooting victims.
It may have taken Sen. Mark Kelly three more years than his brother to enter the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, but the achievement is fitting regardless. As the fifth Senator in U.S. history to have also been an astronaut, he is the only among Arizona Senators and only the second behind John Glenn to be in the HOF.
Who is Mark Kelly’s Wife?
Gabby Giffords is Mark Kelly’s wife and both have served in government for the state of Arizona. But their story goes back well before Arizona’s Senator was entering the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Although his journey was taking shape, nonetheless.
Giffords, who was serving as an Arizona State Senator, and Kelly, a NASA astronaut, first crossed paths at the National Committee on US-China Relations when both were in relationships: Kelly was a married father of two, and Giffords had a boyfriend.
But the following year, when the committee convened in Arizona again, both were single. During a hike in the Grand Canyon, they bonded and formed a friendship that developed into a romantic relationship in November 2004.
It all began when Giffords invited Kelly to accompany her on a tour of the Arizona State Prison. Fast forward to November 10, 2007, and the couple tied the knot at an organic farm in Amado, Arizona. Since then, they have been together through outstanding achievements and devastating tragedies.
The latest of such is evident in Mark Kelly’s recent honor. This political power couple continues to advocate for their country and contribute on a range of topics. Regardless of the political side you find yourself on, both Kelly and Giffords have helped push America forward through their work over many decades.
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