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James KellyAstronaut
Date of Birth: 14.04.1964
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Biography of James Kelly
- Military Service
- Space Career
- Achievements and Awards
- Personal Life and Interests
Biography of James Kelly
Early Life and EducationJames Kelly was born on May 14, 1964, in Burlington, Iowa, USA. He attended high school in Burlington before pursuing his passion for space exploration. In 1986, he graduated from the United States Air Force Academy with a bachelor's degree in astronautics. Later, in 1996, he obtained a master's degree in space studies from the University of Alabama.
Military Service
After completing pilot training at the Lak Air Force Base in Arkansas in October 1987, Kelly served in the 67th Fighter Squadron of the 18th Fighter Wing based in Kadena, Okinawa, Japan. In 1992, he joined the National Guard aviation units at Otis Air Base, where he served as an instructor and unit commander. Kelly then attended the Air Force Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, California, graduating in 1994. Following his training, he served at the Test and Evaluation Center at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, accumulating over 1500 flight hours on 35 different aircraft types.
Space Career
In April 1996, James Kelly was selected as an astronaut candidate by NASA. From August 1996 to August 1998, he underwent comprehensive astronaut training at the NASA Johnson Space Center.
Kelly's first space flight was as the pilot of the space shuttle "Discovery" during the STS-102 mission, which took place from March 8 to March 21, 2001. The mission's main objective was to deliver the 2nd long-duration expedition crew to the International Space Station and perform various tasks on board the station. The mission lasted 12 days, 19 hours, 49 minutes, and 32 seconds.
Achievements and Awards
James Kelly received several accolades for his contributions to space exploration. He was honored with medals from the United States Air Force and NASA, including the NASA Space Flight Medal in 2001.
Personal Life and Interests
James Kelly is married to Dawn Renee Timmerman, and they have four children together. In his free time, he enjoys reading, listening to music, and playing softball.
