Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home

Shuttle Atlantis leaves space station, headed home (AP)
This image from NASA TV shows the International Space Station drifting away from the Space Shuttle Atlantis shortly after undocking early Wednesday Nov. 25, 2009. The shuttle is scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center, Friday morning. (AP Photo/NASA)

(AP) -- Atlantis and its seven astronauts have left the International Space Station.

The shuttle undocked early Wednesday morning, ending its one-week visit. Pilot Barry "Butch" Wilmore was at the controls.

Atlantis is now aiming for a Friday morning landing back at NASA's Florida spaceport.

Two of Atlantis' crew members are especially eager to get home.

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

NASA's new dad in space, Randolph Bresnik, wants to see his baby daughter as soon as possible after the shuttle lands. Abigail Mae Bresnik was born Saturday night in Houston, shortly after his first .

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