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NASA's star astronaut Scott Kelly: Time was right to retire

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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) - After 20 years with NASA, America's star astronaut Scott Kelly says it's time to move on.

He's already hopped on the speaker circuit but is saving the serious job discussions for retirement, coming up in just two weeks.

Kelly announced his retirement last Friday, just nine days after returning from a yearlong, record-breaking mission at the International Space Station. He's retiring April 1.

In an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, the 52-year-old astronaut said he doesn't have a full-time job lined up - yet - despite plenty of offers. He says retiring gives him the flexibility to explore other options and still be available for NASA debriefings and medical tests.