World News - Mark Kelly, the U.S. astronaut who led the final flight of the shuttle Endeavour, announced on Tuesday (21 / 6) he retired to fill more time with his wife who are recovering from gunshot wounds on the head.
"Today I humbly announce that after 25 years of service to country, I retired from the U.S. Navy and left the American Space Agency (NASA), effective October 1," Kelly said in a statement.
"In life sometimes there are things that are unexpected and sometimes we are at a crossroads. I was at this point today. Gabrielle struggled every day for recovery. I want to be on his side," he said.
Kelly, 47, took an active role in U.S. space agency after the shooting in January that led to his wife, Gabrielle Giffords, serious injuries at a political meeting in Arizona.
His decision to lead the end of Endeavour's flight - the second to last mission U.S. shuttle program was terminated before the end of this year - took place at Giffords busy undergoing a rehabilitation program, and supported by his family and many people in America.
"I would like to thank the NASA manager who trusted me with this great responsibility in a difficult period in my personal life and to the leaders of the United States Navy is preparing me to handle these challenging times," he said in a statement.
Giffords last week allowed to leave the hospital, five months after he was shot in the head in a relatively close distance in a surprise attack across the U.S.. He has moved into her husband's house in League City, Texas, and will continue to undergo therapy.
Six people, including a federal judge and a nine-year-old girl was killed and 12 others wounded in an attack last January 8.
In March, Jared Loughner, the accused shooter, was declared mentally ill to stand trial. The researchers found a 22-year-old boy who was suffering from schizophrenia and could not help defending herself or understand the court process.
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