Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey. He earned a bachelor's degree in marine engineering and nautical science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in 1986 and a master's degree in aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Postgraduate School in 1994. Mark Kelly served in the U.S. Navy. Kelly's career experience included working as an astronaut with NASA and in aviation with the U.S. Navy. As an astronaut, he flew four missions to the International Space Station with the Space Shuttle Endeavour in 2001, 2006, 2008, and 2011. In the U.S. Navy, Kelly flew 39 combat missions from the aircraft carrier USS Midway. Kelly co-founded the advocacy group Americans for Responsible Solutions. He established the group with his wife, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, in 2013, two years after she was shot and six people were killed at a campaign event in Tucson, Arizona.In 2016, Americans for Responsible Solutions merged with the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, and the organization was renamed Giffords.The organization says it "fight\[s\] for stronger gun laws, hold\[s\] the gun lobby accountable, and support\[s\] candidates who stand for safer schools & communities.”
