Mark Kelly has been in the news recently due to his candidacy in the 2020 United States Senate election in Arizona. As a former astronaut and U.S. Navy captain, Kelly's background in aerospace and military service has garnered attention in his bid for political office. His experience as an engineer and aerospace executive also adds to his qualifications for public office.
Born on February 21, 1964, in Orange, New Jersey, Mark Edward Kelly joined NASA in 1996 and flew four space shuttle missions, including commanding the final flight of Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2011. Kelly is a decorated veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy for over two decades, retiring as a captain. In addition to his career in space exploration and the military, Kelly is an accomplished author, having written several books on his experiences as an astronaut and his views on various issues.