cape canaveral

President Barack Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, their daughters Sasha and Malia, and Astronaut Janet Kavandi, walk under the landing gear from beneath the nose of Space Shuttle Atlantis as they visit Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral

Pool report: Potus met with Rep. Giffords for approx 10 minutes before he came down to meet the full crew. Prior to going in to see her, Potus greeted Mark Kelly in a corridor. “I bet you were hoping to see a rocket launch today,” Mr. Kelly said. Replied Potus: “We were hoping to see you.” They shook hands and embraced. Mr. Kelly updated the President and First Lady on Rep. Giffords’ condition, and then they went down the corridor to see her.

Terry White, a tile technician on the Shuttle Atlantis, talks about the space shuttle tiles with the Obama family

wonderful women

First lady Michelle Obama hosts a mentoring event to celebrate Women’s History Month in the East Room at the White House, March 30

Grammy Award winning violinist Miri Ben-Ari

Actress and comedienne Ali Wentworth

NASA Astronaut Ellen Ochoa, Olympic gold medalist Dominique Dawes and actress Rashida Jones

Former basketball player Lisa Leslie

Actress Hilary Swank poses for a photo with a student

Kerry Washington

Recording artist Ledisi

Actresses Geena Davis, Hilary Swank and Vanessa Minnillo

Nancy Brinker, founder and chief executive of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and actress Tracee Ellis Ross

Actress Anna Deavere Smith

‘we are better than this’

Scott and Mark Kelly

BBC: The crew on board the International Space Station (ISS) have paused in silence for six people killed in a shooting in Arizona which left US congresswoman, Gabrielle Giffords, seriously wounded.

The ISS Commander, Scott Kelly, who is Ms Giffords’ brother-in-law led a tribute to the victims. Ms Giffords’ husband, Mark Kelly, is also an astronaut.

Commander Kelly:

“As I look out the window, I see a very beautiful planet that seems very inviting and peaceful. Unfortunately, it is not. These days, we are constantly reminded of the unspeakable acts of violence and damage we can inflict upon one another, not just with our actions but also with our irresponsible words. We are better than this. We must do better.”

walking the line

President Barack Obama walks with astronaut Buzz Aldrin to board Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington, April 15, 2010.