Giffords Plans to Attend husband's Space Shuttle Launch

[cal04]

Source: CBS News

Rep. Gabrielle Giffords plans to attend the April 29 launch of the space shuttle Endeavour, which her husband, Mark Kelly, will command, Giffords' office confirmed on Friday.

Final confirmation of Giffords' attendance to the event, which will take place at Florida's Kennedy Space Center, is contingent upon the approval of doctors overseeing her recovery.

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According to her office, Giffords will not speak with the press or make a statement at the event. Members of her staff, however, are expected to hold a press conference after the event to discuss Giffords' reaction to her husband's mission.

In a letter to the Obama administration on Thursday, Giffords' office appealed to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to classify brain-trauma rehabilitation services as essential benefits under the new health care law, according to USA Today.

Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-20052202-503544.html

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[aquart]

1. Will that be affected by the shutdown?

[FSogol]

2. Yes, launch will be delayed if Govt shuts down. n/t

[abqmufc]

5. Do they have a specific window they must launch in? (n/t)

[liberal N proud]

8. Launch windows come and go

miss one, there will be another in a few days. It's not like the moon shots of the 70's when they had to launch to catch the moon in certain orbit.

[abqmufc]

9. Thanks.

I guess I was wondering if a satellite was going to be launched via the Shuttle that would make that window more significant and not as revolving. I remember this being the case early in the Shuttle program's history as my family was going to attend a launch with my dad (who worked for NASA for 30 years). If they are just going to the Space Station then I'd guess there really is no window, or as you said it opens and closes in a matter of days.

Thanks for your response.

[Roland99]

3. That's just incredible!

I hope to get somewhat close to the launch site although I'll probably still end up a good 15-20 miles away...depends on if I can leave work after lunch :)

[warrior1]

4. question

does anyone know if she's had the part of her skull replaced?

[trud]

6. there are March 11 articles saying not yet n/t

I kind of suspect of it had been it would be in the news. They can't wait much longer to do it, though.

[BlueIris]

7. Hope her recovery continues as planned. nt