Space Shuttle: Nicole Stott returns on space shuttle to the Kennedy Space Center

Update: Shuttle Atlantis has landed safely

Kennedy Space Center, Florida - Clearwater's Nicole Stott is expected to return to Earth Friday morning at 9:44 a.m. EST.

  The astronaut has been in orbit since late August.  Stott says she misses her husband and 7-year-old son, being in the sunshine -- and pizza.

 Stott will return with six other astronauts aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis.

  The shuttle undocked early Wednesday morning from the International Space Station, ending its one-week visit.

 Atlantis and its seven astronauts have left the International Space Station.

  Weather conditions look like they'll be ideal for a planned 9:44 a.m. EST Friday landing by Atlantis and seven astronauts at Kennedy Space Center.

"It's looking really good," said Bryan Lunney, entry flight director.

The forecast includes a few clouds at 2,000 feet and 20,000 feet. If there's any potential concern it could be headwinds, Lunney said, but they are not expected to top a 25-knot limit.

If conditions changed and Atlantis could not land as planned, there is a second opportunity at KSC one orbit later at 11:19 a.m.

If necessary, two more opportunities are possible Saturday 9:59 a.m. and 11:34 a.m.

NASA is so confident in the local forecast that it does not plan to activate its backup landing site at Edwards Air Force Base in California until Sunday.

Follow the latest news on the space shuttle at The Flame Trench.