.Publisher's Keep in mind: The observing is actually the text message of a letter from Exploration 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reviewing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed significantly about specifics of this particular purpose during the month I have actually been listed below, mostly for two reasons: the very first being actually that there has been incredibly little opportunity to carry out that sort of creating, and second of all due to the fact that I am actually uncertain just how comfortable I am discussing notions I provide family and friends along with the remainder of the globe.Effectively, undoubtedly the planet modified today. What I state or even perform is very small reviewed to the implication of what happened to our nation today when it was actually assaulted through ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I suppose. Hard to understand at whom to route our temper as well as anxiety ...I had actually just finished a variety of tasks this morning, the most lengthy being actually the physical examinations of all crew participants. In a personal talk following that, the air travel specialist told me they were actually having a quite bad time on the ground. I possessed no concept ...He described the condition to me as ideal he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, then terrified. My first thought was actually that this wasn't a real talk, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely really did not seem feasible on this scale in our country. I couldn't also visualize the details, also before the information of more devastation started can be found in.Vladimir visited quite promptly, sensing that something quite significant was being explained. I waved Michael into the module too. They were actually also impressed and also stunned. After we authorized off, I tried to describe to Vladimir and also Michael as greatest I could the potential magnitude of this particular show of fear in midtown Manhattan and also at the Government. They accurately recognized and also were extremely considerate.I browsed the Planet Chart on the computer to observe where over the globe our experts were and discovered that our company were actually coming southeast away from Canada and would be skipping New England in a couple of moments. I zoomed around the station until I located a window that will offer me a view of New York City as well as grabbed the nearby video camera. It occurred to become a video camera, as well as I was actually appearing southern from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to possess a strange bloom to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the area. After reviewing one of the newspaper article our experts simply obtained, I feel our experts were taking a look at NY around the time of, or shortly after, the collapse of the 2nd high rise. Exactly how horrendous ...I swung the video camera during the East Shoreline to the south to see if I might observe some other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, but absolutely nothing was visible.It was pretty difficult to deal with job after that, though our experts possessed some to accomplish, however on the next track our company crossed the United States additional southern. All three people were working one or two video cameras to make an effort to obtain scenery of New York or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no particular resource might be viewed. All of it appeared fabulous coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can not envision the awful scenes on the ground.Aside from the emotional impact of our nation being dealt with as well as countless our consumers and also maybe some pals being killed, the most mind-boggling sensation being where I am is one of seclusion.Next day ... I presume the tiredness and also psychological stress got the most effective of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as continue to compose. Today was still hard, yet our company started acquiring additional info, plus we had the honor of talking directly with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who ensured us that the ground staffs would remain to work and ensure our safety and security, along with the secure operation of the Place. Our experts additionally talked to our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the companions in the Program are all totally dedicated to proceeding risk-free operations and support. These were actually certainly never inquiries for me. I understand all these people! The ground crews have actually been actually very supportive, very understanding of the impact of the information, and have actually made an effort to be as useful as possible. They have all been really specialist and also centered though I can't envision the disturbance of this sort of updates can be found in and also the thought and feelings that authorities structures could be in danger. They never avoided a beat, even when moving control centers. And a group of senior employees as well as close friends provided our company a pretty complete instruction about what was actually recognized and also what was being actually done in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually incredibly useful as well as kind of all of them to accomplish in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has actually also been supporting and helpful, attempting to uplink news articles when our personal properties were inoperable, as well as saying kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been actually excellent, as well. They recognize it is actually been a difficult time for me and the individuals on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to be as also keeled as well as valuable as achievable. Michael also fixed me my favorite Borscht soup for supper. And they provide me lots of space to presume when I required it. They are actually really compassionate as well as of course outraged at whoever would certainly do this.I recognize so many individuals in Washington, so many individuals who take a trip to DC and New York City, numerous who are aviators, that I experienced certain I would certainly receive a minimum of a couple of items of bad news over the upcoming few days. I received the very first one today when I found out that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I encountered Chic during plebe summer when our team were in the D&B with each other, and also our company possessed bunches of training class together. I can not envision what he should of gone through, and currently I listen to that he might possess climbed additionally than we may also think about through possibly stopping his plane coming from being actually the one to tackle the White Home. What an awful loss, however I ensure Chic was actually combating bravely throughout. As well as tears don't stream the very same precede ...It's challenging to define exactly how it really feels to become the only American totally off the earth at a time such as this. The emotion that I must be there along with each of you, dealing with this, helping somehow, is actually mind-boggling. I recognize that we are on the limit (or even beyond) of a horrible change in the past history of the world. Numerous points will never ever be the same again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the manies thousand and also 1000s of people directly influenced through these horrible actions of violence, however possibly for all of us. Our team will certainly discover ourselves experiencing differently regarding lots of things, consisting of possibly area expedition, sadly.It's terrible to observe smoke pouring coming from cuts in your very own nation from such a great perspective. The dichotomy of performing a space probe devoted to enhancing daily life on the planet and also seeing lifestyle being destroyed by such witting, awful acts is jolting to the mind, despite who you are. And also the knowledge that everything will definitely be actually various than when our team released due to the opportunity we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our management that our company will certainly perform every little thing feasible to better guard her and our loved ones, and to carry fair treatment of what has been actually performed. I possess confidence that the great individuals at NASA will definitely perform everything required to proceed our goal properly and also return us carefully at the right time. And also I skip each one of you quite. I can't exist along with you in person, as well as we have a long way to go to accomplish our objective, yet be particular that my soul is actually with you, as well as understand you reside in my prayers.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Fortunately, it's been actually an occupied full week up below. As well as to confirm that, like our country, our team are actually continuing on our planned road with business customarily (as high as possible). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (US opportunity), it will certainly dock along with us, at a port never ever used prior to on the low point edge of the Solution Element. This brand-new module will definitely provide us yet another place to dock a Development or even Soyuz and also will certainly offer a sizable airlock with 2 useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which our team will carry out a few of before we come home.The problem before in coping with this week was actually too little headlines. The concern now is way too much. It came all at once when email was actually rejuvenated, as well as there is actually not nearly enough opportunity to review it all! Plus it's as well challenging to handle all of it at the same time. Yet I value getting it, as well as I really enjoy the fantastic letters of assistance as well as companionship I am obtaining.We are prospering on board, acquiring our job carried out, as well as talking about points. Last evening we had a long dialogue over supper about the value of these events, the feasible actions to comply with, and also what ought to be done. After supper, Michael resolved informing me that every email he obtained from close friends in Russia stated specifically to tell me exactly how regretful they were actually that this happened, expanding their acknowledgements, and also inquiring exactly how I was actually performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian term for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English phrases are actually considerably very long to pronounce easily.) Really types people.For the last two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to transfer live broadcasts of broadcast updates regarding the activity and affiliated tales, to make sure I was actually effectively notified. Every specialist that has actually come on free throw line to review a treatment or a trouble has at some point expanded hellos to me with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that as a result of the wedding of recognition in the US, throughout the day individuals had actually been actually taking florals and also edging all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, and this night they were lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. Just how the world has altered.Folks everywhere seem to be to acknowledge the senselessness and scary in this particular attack. And the significant loss. Moscow has actually handled these sort of complications in the last handful of years along with apartment and subway bombings, so they are actually as anxious to remove this danger as we are. But all-time low collection is that there are actually really good individuals all over who want to live in peace. I review that a kid inquired, "The United States is actually therefore good to various other countries, we consistently aid every person, just how can they loathe our team so much?".I really hope the example of cooperation and depend on that this space capsule plus all the people in the plan illustrate daily are going to someday inspire the remainder of the globe to work similarly. They must!Sadly, our experts won't be actually taking flight over the US during the time folks are igniting candlesticks. Don't understand if our company could possibly find that in any case. Our experts performed, having said that, observe a quite uncommon and beautiful view a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. We were surpassing it and also it came into view about 3 minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine reached our terminal, so it was still unaware. It resembled a large comet along with a right, wide tail silhouetted versus the darker earth under. In spite of some negative lighting fixtures for a while as the sunlight attacked our window at a low angle, I took care of some video recording of it as initially our team passed the rocket, and after that saw it begin to catch up as it gained height as well as rate. I recorded until primary engine cutoff as well as booster separation developed just as our team moved toward daybreak on the Himalayas. An extraordinary view in a memorable week ...Life takes place, also precede. Our company are actually listed here to stay ... Frank.