NASA chief: Giffords welcome at husband's launch

(AP) -- NASA's chief says it would be tremendous for the space shuttle crew and the nation if Rep. Gabrielle Giffords can watch her astronaut husband launch from Cape Canaveral in April.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden says the wounded Giffords would be treated "like a normal spouse" if she could attend. She also happens to be the ranking Democrat on the committee that oversees the space agency.

Giffords' husband, Mark Kelly, resumed training last week for space shuttle Endeavour's final flight. Bolden says NASA always has astronauts helping the crew's families and even has hosted spouses with medical needs before.

Bolden said Monday that he's talked with Kelly a number of times since the Arizona shooting and supports Kelly's decision to fly.