# Mark Kelly > American politician, astronaut, and naval officer (born 1964) **Wikidata**: [Q357510](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q357510) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Kelly) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mark-kelly ## Summary Mark Kelly is an American naval officer, astronaut, test pilot, politician, writer, and naval aviator born on February 21, 1964 in Orange [1][2]. He holds United States citizenship and practices Catholicism [3]. Kelly was educated at the United States Merchant Marine Academy, Naval Postgraduate School, United States Naval Test Pilot School, and West Orange High School .He has received numerous awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross, Legionnaire of Legion of Merit, Air Medal, and NASA Exceptional Service Medal . Kelly has served as a United States senator from 2020 to 2021, from 2021 to 2023, and from 2023 to the present [4][2]. His political focus has been on gun control . He married Gabby Giffords in 2007 . ## Summary Mark Kelly is an American politician, astronaut, and retired naval officer born in 1964. He is best known for his career as a NASA astronaut, during which he piloted and commanded multiple Space Shuttle missions, and for his service as a U.S. Senator representing Arizona since 2020. Kelly is also recognized for his military service as a naval aviator and test pilot, as well as his advocacy on issues such as gun control and space exploration. ## Biography - **Born**: February 21, 1964 - **Nationality**: United States - **Education**: - United States Merchant Marine Academy - Naval Postgraduate School - United States Naval Test Pilot School - **Known for**: Serving as a NASA astronaut, naval officer, test pilot, and U.S. Senator - **Employer(s)**: - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) - United States Navy - United States Senate (since 2020) - **Field(s)**: Space exploration, military aviation, politics, public service ## Contributions Mark Kelly has made significant contributions in multiple fields: - **Space Exploration**: As a NASA astronaut, Kelly piloted the Space Shuttle *Endeavour* during STS-108 in 2001 and commanded STS-121 in 2006 and STS-124 in 2008. These missions were critical for the construction and resupply of the International Space Station (ISS). - **Military Service**: Served as a naval aviator and test pilot, earning decorations such as the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal for his service. - **Political Career**: Elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020, representing Arizona. His tenure has focused on issues such as gun control, veterans' affairs, and space policy. - **Advocacy**: Following the 2011 Tucson shooting that injured his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Kelly became a prominent advocate for gun control measures. - **Writing**: Co-authored books, including *Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope* (2011), detailing his wife’s recovery, and *Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery* (2017), written with his twin brother, astronaut Scott Kelly. ## FAQs **What is Mark Kelly’s background in the military?** Mark Kelly served as a naval officer and aviator in the United States Navy. He graduated from the United States Naval Test Pilot School and worked as a test pilot, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for his service. **What missions did Mark Kelly fly as a NASA astronaut?** Kelly flew four Space Shuttle missions: STS-108 (2001) as pilot, and STS-121 (2006), STS-124 (2008), and STS-134 (2011) as commander. These missions were pivotal for ISS construction and resupply. **When did Mark Kelly enter politics?** Mark Kelly was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020, representing Arizona. His political career has emphasized issues like gun control, veterans' rights, and space policy. **What awards has Mark Kelly received?** Kelly has been awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and NASA Exceptional Service Medal, among other honors, for his military and spaceflight achievements. **How is Mark Kelly related to space exploration beyond his astronaut career?** Kelly’s identical twin brother, Scott Kelly, is also a retired NASA astronaut. The brothers participated in NASA’s Twin Study, which examined the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. ## Why They Matter Mark Kelly’s career spans critical roles in space exploration, military aviation, and public service, making him a unique figure in modern American history. As an astronaut, he contributed to the construction and operation of the International Space Station, advancing human spaceflight capabilities. His military service as a test pilot demonstrated expertise in aviation safety and innovation. In politics, Kelly has brought a scientific and operational perspective to legislative discussions, particularly on issues like space policy, veterans' affairs, and gun control. His advocacy for gun safety, motivated by personal tragedy, has influenced national debates. Additionally, his collaboration with his twin brother in NASA’s Twin Study provided valuable data on the physiological impacts of spaceflight, informing future missions to Mars and beyond. ## Notable For - **Astronaut Career**: Piloted and commanded four Space Shuttle missions (STS-108, STS-121, STS-124, STS-134). - **Military Decorations**: Recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal. - **Political Office**: U.S. Senator from Arizona (since 2020). - **Gun Control Advocacy**: Co-founded Americans for Responsible Solutions with Gabrielle Giffords. - **NASA Twin Study**: Participated in a landmark study with his twin brother, Scott Kelly, on the effects of long-duration spaceflight. - **Writing**: Co-authored *Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope* and *Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery*. - **Asteroid Namesake**: Asteroid 167748 Markkelly is named in his honor. - **Education**: Graduate of the United States Naval Test Pilot School and Naval Postgraduate School. ## Body ### Early Life and Education Mark Edward Kelly was born on February 21, 1964, in the United States. He pursued a career in aviation and space exploration from an early age, attending the United States Merchant Marine Academy, where he earned a degree. He later obtained advanced education at the Naval Postgraduate School and the United States Naval Test Pilot School, where he trained as a test pilot. ### Military Career Kelly served as a naval officer and aviator in the United States Navy, where he specialized in test flying. His military service earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal, decorations awarded for heroism and meritorious achievement in aerial flight. His expertise as a test pilot laid the foundation for his later career as a NASA astronaut. ### NASA Astronaut Career Mark Kelly was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. Over his career, he flew four Space Shuttle missions: - **STS-108 (2001)**: Piloted the *Endeavour* on a resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS). - **STS-121 (2006)**: Commanded the *Discovery* on a return-to-flight mission following the *Columbia* disaster, testing new safety procedures. - **STS-124 (2008)**: Commanded the *Discovery* to deliver the *Kibo* laboratory module to the ISS. - **STS-134 (2011)**: Commanded the *Endeavour* on its final mission, delivering the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to the ISS. Kelly’s contributions to these missions were critical for the assembly and operation of the ISS, advancing international cooperation in space exploration. ### Political Career In 2020, Mark Kelly was elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Arizona. His political platform has focused on veterans' affairs, space policy, and gun control. Following the 2011 Tucson shooting that severely injured his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, Kelly became a leading advocate for gun safety measures. He co-founded *Americans for Responsible Solutions*, an organization dedicated to reducing gun violence. ### Advocacy and Writing Kelly has used his public platform to advocate for issues such as gun control, veterans' rights, and space exploration. He co-authored *Gabby: A Story of Courage and Hope* (2011) with his wife, chronicling her recovery after the shooting. In 2017, he and his twin brother, Scott Kelly, published *Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery*, detailing Scott’s year-long mission aboard the ISS and the broader implications of human spaceflight. ### Personal Life and Legacy Mark Kelly is married to Gabrielle Giffords, a former U.S. Representative from Arizona. The couple’s resilience following the 2011 shooting has been widely documented, and their advocacy work has influenced national conversations on gun violence. Kelly’s identical twin brother, Scott Kelly, is also a retired NASA astronaut, and the two participated in NASA’s Twin Study, which provided critical data on the effects of long-duration spaceflight on the human body. Kelly’s legacy is marked by his contributions to space exploration, military service, and public policy. His career reflects a commitment to innovation, safety, and advocacy, making him a prominent figure in both scientific and political arenas. ## References 1. [Source](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/senate-arizona-democrats-kelly/2020/12/01/10155924-3400-11eb-b59c-adb7153d10c2_story.html) 2. Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 3. [Source](https://www.pewforum.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2021/01/01.04.21_faith_on_the_hill_detailed.table_.update.pdf) 4. general catalog of BnF 5. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology 6. Virtual International Authority File 7. [Source](https://www.kelly.senate.gov/) 8. Encyclopædia Britannica Online 9. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 10. Google Knowledge Graph 11. Quora 12. The Movie Database