Scott Kelly reunites with family after year in space mission

Astronaut Scott Kelly arrived in Houston early this morning where he was reunited with his family after a whirlwind year-long mission in space.

Waiting for Kelly, 52, in Houston were his two daughters and girlfriend, along with his identical twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, and his sister-in-law, former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Jill Biden was a on hand to welcome Kelly home after his historic year in space.

During his final news conference from space last week, Kelly said NASA will put him through a battery of tests as soon as he returns to measure any changes in his health.

The tests conducted include a vision check, since a micro-gravity environment can put pressure on an astronaut’s optic nerves. NASA will also look at Kelly’s physical health, including his bone density, muscles and cardiovascular system. He’ll also be asked to complete tasks testing his motor skills and assessing his psychological state.

The one-year mission was designed to help NASA better understand what happens to an astronaut’s physical and mental health during a prolonged stay in a micro-gravity environment. Kelly’s results will be compared with those of his identical twin brother, Mark Kelly, who served as the control subject on Earth.

After Kelly’s initial testing is complete, he told reporters last week the one thing he wanted to do most back on Earth.

“I’m going to go home and jump in my pool,” he said.