Washington, June 23 (IANS/EFE) Astronaut Mark Kelly announced that he will retire from NASA and the US Navy Oct 1 to devote his attention fully to his wife, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), who was shot in the head in January at a meet-and-greet event with constituents.
Capt. Kelly announced his pending retirement via Facebook and Twitter with a message in which he acknowledged that it "was not an easy decision" after serving the country for more than two decades.
"As life takes unexpected turns we frequently come to a crossroads. I am at this point today," the 47-year-old Kelly said. "Gabrielle is working hard every day on her mission of recovery. I want to be by her side."
Kelly thus will end a career in which he has achieved much success, including participating in four space shuttle missions.
It could be said that crowning moment in that career came for him in May when he commanded the STS-134 Endeavour space shuttle mission, the last flight into space for that craft and the second-to-last flight in the NASA shuttle programme, which will conclude later this year.
The astronaut said that his decision has nothing to do with the end of the shuttle programme, which will leave hundreds of NASA employees out of work, but rather it is based on family considerations.
"I know that as our space programme 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 said.
"Stepping aside from my work in the Navy and at NASA will allow me to be with her (Giffords) and with my two daughters. I love them all very much and there is no doubt that we will move forward together," the astronaut said. "After some time off, I will look at new opportunities and am hopeful that one day I will again serve our country."
On Jan 8, the congresswoman was shot once in the head by a lone gunman as she was meeting constituents at a Tucson supermarket. The attack left six people dead and 12 others wounded.
Giffords recently left the hospital, but continues to receive outpatient treatment.
Shooting suspect Jared Lee Loughner, 22, was recently declared mentally incompetent to stand trial.