For all the science geek kossacks out there, time is running out to see a shuttle with the International Space Station. April 29th will be the 2nd to last launch and both Gabby and the Obamas will be there.
While the ISS is obviously orbiting all the time, there are only two more shuttle missions. Estimated launch dates are:
Mission STS 134 April 29th 3:47 pm (EST) - Commander Mark Kelly (Gabby Giffords' husband)
Mission STS 135 June 28th
To get a calendar and schedule of all the dates and times when you'll be able to see the ITS and shuttle, so you can post it your refrigerator, go here: enter your country and city.
Also, here is a link to print out a sheet to help your viewing effort.
To send Mark Kelly well wishes for his flight go over the fold.
Did you know that Gabby's brother-in-law Scott Kelly is on the ITS? Talk about having an out of this world family.
UPDATE: Correction with h/t to Villanova Rhodes - Mark left the ISS and returned to Earth on March 16th. There had been plans to have the brothers pull a prank on the ISS when Scott got up there, but the delays with the shuttle mission prevented them from being there at the same time.
Since the tragic shooting in Tucson, Ariz., on Saturday, Jan. 8, messages of support and well wishes have overwhelmed several communications paths at NASA. As a result, this site has been created to provide a location where you can submit messages intended for Rep. Giffords’ husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, Commander of Space Shuttle Mission STS-134, and her brother-in-law, astronaut Scott Kelly, Commander of Expedition 26 aboard the International Space Station. In recent statements, both thanked the public for the overwhelming messages of support they have received.
Or you can send a physical card or letter to:
Scott Kelly and/or Mark Kelly (please specify)
c/o Kelly Curtis, Mailcode: CB
NASA Johnson Space Center
2101 NASA Parkway
Houston, Texas 77058
Though everything is contingent on her physicians' final approvals, Gabby Giffords is still planning on attending her husband's shuttle launch on April 29th. And, the Orlando Sentinel is reporting, today, that President Obama and his entire family will also be there.
A White House source told the Sentinel Wednesday that the president will bring his wife, Michelle, and two daughters, Sasha and Malia, to the launch, now scheduled at 3:47 p.m. a week from.
Short diary, but I thought some of you might like the info, and what with all the bad news swirling around out there lately, I thought we could use a reason to look up to the skies and smile.