Giffords arrives for shuttle launch

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Rep. Gabrielle Giffords left hospitals behind yesterday for the first time since her tragic shooting nearly four months ago and traveled to NASA territory for the next-to-last space shuttle launch with her husband in command.

"Gabby is looking forward to some time away from the rehab center & the chance to see Captain Mark Kelly launch again!" Giffords' staff posted on her Facebook page.

Space shuttle Endeavour is due to blast off at 3:47 p.m. Friday with Kelly at the helm, Endeavour's final voyage after 19 years of spaceflight, as the shuttle era nears the end.

NASA managers said they're thrilled to host Giffords, even though her presence requires a little extra care and attention. She flew by NASA jet from Houston to Florida's Space Coast, a day behind the other astronauts' wives and children.

The other VIP, President Barack Obama, will arrive on launch day. He'll bring his wife and their daughters in what will be the first visit by a first family for a launch. Only two other sitting presidents have ever witnessed a manned launch: Richard Nixon for Apollo 12 in 1969 and Bill Clinton for John Glenn's return to orbit in 1998 aboard the shuttle Discovery.

With only two space shuttle launches remaining, everyone, it seems, is jostling for a front-row seat. An estimated 40,000 guests are expected at Kennedy Space Center. Outside the gates, the crowd is expected to be the biggest in years. -- AP