The launch is heavily symbolic because it is the second-to-last mission for the US space shuttle program, and also because a wounded lawmaker is expected to be there to watch her astronaut-husband command the shuttle into space.

Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is recovering from a gunshot wound to the head, sustained in January during a grocery store political meeting. Her husband, Mark Kelly, is commander of the shuttle's six-member crew.

Obama will already be in Florida in late April to deliver the commencement address at Miami Dade College, and will bring his wife, Michelle, and daughters Sasha and Malia with him to the launch, the White House official said.

The Endeavour is scheduled to launch Friday, April 29 at 3:47 pm (1947 GMT) on a 14-day mission to the International Space Station.

Bill Clinton was the last sitting president to attend a shuttle launch. He was at Kennedy Space Center for the Discovery launch in 1998.

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