.Publisher's Keep in mind: The observing is actually the text of a letter coming from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), assessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written significantly regarding specifics of this objective in the course of the month I've been actually here, mainly for 2 explanations: the very first being actually that there has actually been quite little opportunity to accomplish that type of creating, as well as the second thing is since I'm unsure how relaxed I am sharing notions I provide friends and family with the rest of the planet.Well, definitely the world altered today. What I claim or do is extremely slight contrasted to the significance of what happened to our country today when it was attacked through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I suppose. Tough to recognize at whom to point our temper as well as concern ...I had simply completed a number of jobs this morning, the absolute most lengthy being the physical examinations of all staff members. In a private talk observing that, the flight plastic surgeon informed me they were possessing a quite poor day on the ground. I had no idea ...He illustrated the situation to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was dumbfounded, after that alarmed. My very first notion was actually that this wasn't a real discussion, that I was actually still paying attention to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It simply didn't appear achievable on this scale in our country. I couldn't also think of the particulars, even prior to the information of more devastation started coming in.Vladimir visited pretty quickly, picking up that something incredibly serious was actually being actually explained. I swung Michael right into the module as well. They were actually likewise blown away as well as stunned. After our company signed off, I made an effort to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as finest I might the possible enormity of this act of terror in downtown Manhattan and at the Government. They accurately comprehended and were very sympathetic.I glanced at the Planet Map on the computer to view where over the planet we were actually and saw that our team were happening southeast out of Canada and would be skipping New England in a few moments. I whized around the terminal till I discovered a window that would give me a viewpoint of NYC and grabbed the closest camera. It occurred to become a camera, and also I was appearing south from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke appeared to have an odd blossom to it at the foundation of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After reading through some of the news articles we merely obtained, I think our company were looking at NY around the moment of, or even soon after, the failure of the 2nd high rise. Just how awful ...I scanned the camera during the East Shoreline to the south to view if I could possibly see any other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing was visible.It was actually quite tough to consider work after that, though our team possessed some to do, but on the following track we crossed the US additional southern. All three people were actually operating one or two video cameras to try to acquire sights of New York or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no details resource can be viewed. It all appeared awesome from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can not envision the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Other than the emotional effect of our country being dealt with as well as 1000s of our residents and perhaps some good friends being actually eliminated, the absolute most mind-boggling sensation being where I am actually is among seclusion.Following day ... I presume the fatigue as well as psychological stress received the best of me. I could not stay awake as well as remain to write. Today was actually still challenging, however our team started obtaining additional information, plus we possessed the honor of speaking straight along with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who guaranteed our company that the ground groups would certainly remain to operate and also ensure our safety and security, and also the risk-free operation of the Place. Our company also learnt through our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the Course are actually all entirely committed to carrying on secure procedures and also help. These were never ever questions for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground groups have been surprisingly supporting, extremely understanding of the impact of the headlines, and have tried to become as beneficial as feasible. They have actually all been really qualified and concentrated though I can't think of the diversion of the type of headlines coming in and also the idea that authorities properties could be in danger. They never skipped a beat, even when relocating control centers. And a team of senior workers and pals provided our company a rather detailed instruction on what was actually understood and also what was actually being actually carried out in the federal government and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was incredibly useful and sort of them to do in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has also been actually supporting and helpful, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our personal resources were inoperable, as well as saying kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been great, also. They understand it's been a difficult time for me and also the individuals on the ground, as well as they have actually tried to be as even keeled and useful as possible. Michael even repaired me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And also they provide me lots of space to assume when I needed it. They are actually really sympathetic as well as obviously shocked at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize many folks in Washington, numerous individuals that journey to DC and NYC, plenty of who are actually flies, that I really felt certain I would certainly get at the very least a handful of pieces of trouble over the next handful of days. I obtained the initial one today when I knew that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I met Chic during the course of plebe summer months when our team resided in the D&B all together, as well as our experts possessed lots of training class all together. I can not visualize what he should of undergone, and also now I listen to that he may have increased even more than our team can even consider by potentially avoiding his airplane from being actually the one to tackle the White Home. What a terrible loss, yet I ensure Chic was actually battling bravely to the end. As well as tears don't circulate the exact same in space ...It is actually challenging to illustrate just how it experiences to be the only American fully off the planet at a time such as this. The emotion that I must be there along with every one of you, handling this, assisting in some way, is overwhelming. I recognize that our company perform the threshold (or beyond) of a horrendous change in the history of the globe. Numerous traits will definitely never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands and also 1000s of folks directly impacted through these horrible process of terrorism, yet most likely for everyone. We are going to find our own selves feeling in a different way regarding lots of things, including probably room exploration, regrettably.It is actually horrendous to observe smoke cigarettes putting coming from injuries in your personal country from such an awesome perspective. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft dedicated to enhancing everyday life on the earth and also watching lifestyle being destroyed through such planned, dreadful process is actually jolting to the psyche, no matter that you are. As well as the understanding that every little thing are going to be various than when our team introduced due to the time our experts land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and in our management that our team will definitely do every little thing possible to far better shield her and our family members, and also to take fair treatment wherefore has actually been actually carried out. I possess confidence that the great people at NASA will carry out whatever essential to proceed our mission safely as well as return our team safely at the correct time. As well as I miss out on all of you quite. I can't be there along with you in person, and our experts have a long way to visit complete our purpose, yet be particular that my heart is along with you, and recognize you are in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Luckily, it's been a hectic full week up here. And also to show that, like our nation, our company are actually continuing our planned pathway with company as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most recent addition to the place, the Russian Docking Area are going to be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (US time), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a port never made use of prior to on the low point edge of the Service Element. This brand new element will certainly offer our team another place to dock a Development or even Soyuz and are going to give a huge airlock along with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our company are going to perform a few of prior to our team return.The concern prior to in dealing with recently was too little headlines. The problem now is actually excessive. It came all at once when email was rejuvenated, and there is actually not nearly enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it is actually as well difficult to deal with all of it immediately. Yet I cherish receiving it, and I really appreciate the terrific characters of help as well as friendly relationship I am actually receiving.Our team are succeeding aboard, getting our job carried out, and also discussing traits. Final night our team possessed a long dialogue over dinner regarding the implication of these events, the possible activities to follow, and what ought to be carried out. After dinner, Michael made a point of informing me that every e-mail he received from pals in Russia said exclusively to tell me how sorry they were that this taken place, expanding their condolences, as well as talking to exactly how I was doing. Vladimir taught me the Russian term for "condolences" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are considerably very lengthy to articulate easily.) Really kind folks.For the last pair of times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transfer real-time broadcasts of broadcast updates about the occasion and associated tales, to make certain I was actually well informed. Every expert who has actually begun free throw line to go over a treatment or a problem has at some point expanded hellos to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that due to the wedding of recognition in the US, throughout the day folks had actually been bringing florals as well as edging all the wall structures of the US consulate in Moscow, and also this evening they were lighting candle lights in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the globe has actually transformed.Folks anywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and terror within this strike. As well as the incredible loss. Moscow has taken care of these type of troubles in the last few years with apartment or condo and metro battles, so they are as distressed to eliminate this danger as our company are actually. But all-time low series is actually that there are really good folks everywhere that would like to live in tranquility. I go through that a little one asked, "America is therefore great to other nations, our company constantly aid every person, how can they despise our company so much?".I hope the example of collaboration as well as depend on that this space capsule plus all individuals in the program demonstrate daily will at some point inspire the remainder of the world to operate similarly. They must!Unfortunately, our experts won't be actually piloting over the United States while people are actually igniting candlesticks. Do not recognize if our experts could observe that anyhow. Our team did, nonetheless, find a very unique and stunning sight a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our experts were actually eclipsing it and it emerged regarding three minutes after its launch from Baikonur as the sun hit our station, so it was still unaware. It appeared like a large comet with a right, large tail silhouetted against the darker earth underneath. Regardless of some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sun struck our home window at a low angle, I dealt with some video recording of it as to begin with our team passed the rocket, and after that watched it begin to mesmerize as it got altitude as well as rate. I filmed until principal motor cutoff and also enhancer splitting up happened just as our experts approached sunup on the Mountain ranges. An unforgettable attraction in an extraordinary full week ...Lifestyle goes on, even in space. Our experts're below to remain ... Frank.