Three months after she was shot in the head from close range at a political event in Tucson, Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords is expected be present as her astronaut husband sets of for space.

Ms Giffords was one of 20 people wounded, including six fatally, when a gunman sprayed bullets at a crowd outside of a supermarket.

The Jewish politician, who underwent brain surgery after the attack, is still being treated in a rehabilitation centre in Houston.

But her doctors have given permission for her to attend the launch of the space shuttle Endeavour in Florida on Friday.

Ms Gifford's husband, Captain Mark Kelly, whom she married in a Jewish ceremony in 2007, is to command the shuttle's final flight.

He said: "She's been working really hard to make sure that her doctors would permit her to come.

"She's more than medically ready to be here, and she's excited about this trip."

President Obama will also be at the Kennedy Space Centre for the launch.