Mark Kelly is an American astronaut, retired US Navy Captain, New York Times best-selling author, and an experienced naval aviator and test pilot who flew combat missions during the Gulf War. He flew his first of four missions in 2001 aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the same space shuttle that he commanded on its final flight in May 2011. He has also commanded Space Shuttle Discovery and is one of only two individuals who have visited the International Space Station on four different occasions.
And then, Kelly became the center of international attention after the January 2011 assassination attempt on his wife, former US Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
With 6,000 flight hours in more than 50 different aircraft, 375 aircraft carrier landings, 39 combat missions and more than 50 days in space, he is one of our country's most experienced pilots. And his identical twin, Scott, is also an astronaut. He tells his story to kids in the new book, Astrotwins: Project Blastoff.
