Astronauts arrive for next-to-last shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — The astronaut husband of wounded congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords has arrived at NASA’s launch site for this week’s flight of space shuttle Endeavour.

Endeavour is set to blast off Friday afternoon on its final voyage. It will be the next-to-last space shuttle mission.

Navy Capt. Mark Kelly and his crew flew into Kennedy Space Center early thsi afternoon, less than two hours before the start of the countdown.

Kelly said he’s looking forward to his wife arriving later in the week. He told reporters that she’s more than medically ready to travel from Houston for the launch. She is recuperating from a gunshot wound to the head.

President Barack Obama and his family also will attend the liftoff.