It's been a tough road for the space shuttle Atlantis and its crew, but they're almost home. The shuttle's week-long duration on the International Space Station concluded just last Sunday, with the vehicle now scheduled to touch down this Wednesday, February 20.

Joining Atlantis on its trip home is Astronaut Daniel Tani, who worked onboard the ISS for four months since October last year. Tani paid tribute to his mother, Rose, just before boarding Atlantis. Rose had died in a car accident during Tani's stay on the ISS.

Tani also especially excited about being reunited with Jane, his, wife, and the rest of the family. "I can't wait to get back to her (Jane) and my two little girls," Tani said. Among those to remain onboard the ISS are astronauts Peggy Whitson and Pamela Melroy, who had arrived along with Tani last year. Tani's place will be taken over by a French astronaut, and a Russian cosmonaut.

If all goes well, NASA expects Atlantis to touch down this Wednesday at either the Kennedy Space Center or their backup landing site in California. The landing is hoped to proceed safely, given that it will take place on the same day the military plans to shoot down satellite NRO-L2.