Washington (CNN) -- Astronaut Mark Kelly said Friday his wife's extraordinary medical progress since she was shot through the brain, coupled with support from family, friends and the public, were keys to his decision to command the upcoming flight of the space shuttle Endeavour. During a press conference with NASA officials -- who said they determined going with Kelly was the right decision --  the husband of U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords described what he thought the realities would be after the January 8 shooting in Tucson, Arizona, and what he now expects. "At that time, my thought was I'd very likely would be sitting in the ICU seat, two, four or six months later, by her bedside," said Kelly, sporting a blue wristband that reads "Peace, Love, Gabby."
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NEW: "I have every intention for (Giffords) to be at the launch," Kelly says
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Astronaut Mark Kelly will command Endeavour's upcoming flight
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Kelly's shuttle mission is set to launch on April 19
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NASA named backup commander for Endeavour mission after Kelly's wife was shot
Command of the shuttle flight came under question after @placeholder was shot.