Clearwater astronaut returns to Earth

CAPE CANAVERAL - Space shuttle Atlantis glided safely back to Earth this morning, ending Clearwater astronaut Nicole Stott's three months in space.

The shuttle touched down under blue skies at Kennedy Space Center just before 10 a.m., completing an 11-day, three-spacewalk mission to deliver spare parts and other supplies to the international space station.

Stott hitched a ride home with the six-man crew. She had been living aboard the station since launching aboard Discovery back in August.

"I was sad to leave the space station and my crewmates there…but I'm getting to go home and see my family and I'm really excited," she told FOX 13 in a Thanksgiving Day interview from the shuttle.

After some rest and relaxation, Stott will begin training for her next flight. She is currently slated to be part of the crew of Discovery's STS-133 flight -- the last shuttle mission, schedule for September of next year.

The next shuttle flight is planned for February. Endeavour will deliver a multi-windowed module known as the 'cupola.'