In 1962, Glenn became the first U.S. astronaut to orbit the Earth, and he later served 24 years in the Senate.

“I could go another hundred days, I could go another year if I had to,” Kelly says.

What better way to get in the mood for a space shuttle launch than to talk to an astronaut about one? DCist sat down with Alvin Drew, a D.C. born and bred astronaut who recently flew aboard the final Discovery mission.