Captain Mark Kelly, husband to recovering Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.), announced via Facebook Tuesday that he is retiring from the United States Navy and leaving NASA.
Kelly, who commanded the last Endeavor shuttle just a few weeks ago, said that he’d arrived at a crossroads in life.
“I am at this point today,” he said. “Gabrielle is working very hard every day on her mission of recovery. I want to be by her side. Stepping aside from my work in the Nacy and at NASA will allow me to be wit her and with my two daughters. I love them very much and there is no doubt that we will move forward together.”
Kelly’s retirement ends 25 years of service to the United States and a 15-year career at NASA, but he said that he may make a return in the future.
“After some time off, I will look at new opportunities and am hopeful that one day I will again serve our country,” he said.