.Publisher's Keep in mind: The following is actually the text of a character coming from Expedition 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reassessing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed quite regarding specifics of the objective during the course of the month I have actually been actually below, mostly for 2 causes: the initial being actually that there has actually been quite little bit of opportunity to carry out that kind of writing, and also secondly because I'm uncertain how comfortable I am actually discussing thoughts I provide family and friends with the remainder of the globe.Well, certainly the planet modified today. What I point out or perform is quite small matched up to the implication of what occurred to our country today when it was actually struck through ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we know, I think. Tough to know at whom to guide our rage as well as anxiety ...I had actually merely finished a lot of tasks this morning, the most time-consuming being actually the physical examinations of all crew members. In an exclusive discussion following that, the trip cosmetic surgeon informed me they were having a really bad time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He illustrated the situation to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually amazed, then alarmed. My very first thought was actually that this wasn't a true conversation, that I was actually still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only really did not appear feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not even think of the details, even before the headlines of more devastation started can be found in.Vladimir visited pretty rapidly, noticing that something quite severe was being actually discussed. I waved Michael into the module as well. They were actually likewise astonished as well as stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as best I could possibly the potential magnitude of this act of terror in midtown Manhattan and also at the Government. They precisely knew and also were very supportive.I eyed the Planet Chart on the pc to observe where over the planet we were and discovered that our experts were actually coming southeast out of Canada as well as would be passing over New England in a couple of moments. I zoomed around the terminal till I found a window that will offer me a viewpoint of NYC as well as got hold of the nearest camera. It occurred to be a video camera, as well as I was actually looking southern coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have a weird bloom to it at the base of the column that was streaming south of the urban area. After reviewing some of the newspaper article our team only received, I believe our experts were actually examining NY around the time of, or quickly after, the collapse of the second tower. How terrible ...I swept the video camera during the East Coastline to the south to observe if I can find some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing showed up.It was fairly tough to consider job afterwards, though our experts possessed some to do, however on the next track our experts crossed the US additional southern. All 3 of us were actually functioning a couple of electronic cameras to attempt to receive viewpoints of The big apple or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, but no certain source could be viewed. Everything appeared astonishing from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can't imagine the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental impact of our country being dealt with as well as countless our citizens and also perhaps some good friends being actually killed, the best frustrating emotion being where I am actually is just one of isolation.Next day ... I suspect the tiredness as well as mental strain acquired the most effective of me. I couldn't remain awake and also remain to write. Today was actually still tough, however we started obtaining more details, plus our company had the respect of speaking directly with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground crews will continue to work as well as ensure our security, as well as the risk-free procedure of the Station. Our company likewise talked to our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the System are actually all totally devoted to continuing safe operations as well as assistance. These were certainly never concerns for me. I know all these people! The ground crews have been actually astonishingly helpful, very understanding of the influence of the headlines, and also have attempted to be as valuable as possible. They have actually all been actually incredibly expert and concentrated though I can not visualize the distraction of the sort of updates can be found in and also the idea that authorities buildings could be at risk. They certainly never missed a beat, even when transferring nerve center. And also a team of senior staffs and also good friends gave our company a quite complete rundown about what was known and what was being carried out in the federal government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was very handy and also type of all of them to accomplish in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has likewise been supporting and beneficial, trying to uplink news articles when our very own possessions were inoperable, and saying kind terms ...My crewmates have been terrific, as well. They understand it's been actually a tough time for me as well as the folks on the ground, as well as they've made an effort to be as also keeled and beneficial as achievable. Michael even repaired me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And also they offer me loads of area to presume when I needed it. They are really compassionate and also obviously outraged at whoever would perform this.I recognize so many folks in Washington, a lot of people who travel to DC and also New York City, numerous that are flies, that I experienced sure I will obtain at least a few parts of problem over the next couple of days. I acquired the 1st one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that attacked the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic during the course of cadet summer season when our experts were in the D&B with each other, and also our company possessed considerable amounts of training class together. I can't visualize what he has to of experienced, and also now I listen to that he might have increased even more than our experts can easily even consider through potentially preventing his aircraft from being the one to deal with the White Residence. What an awful loss, yet I make certain Chic was dealing with fearlessly to the end. And rips do not flow the same precede ...It's tough to describe just how it experiences to be the only American fully off the earth at once including this. The sensation that I must be there with each one of you, taking care of this, aiding somehow, is actually frustrating. I understand that our experts are on the threshold (or even beyond) of a terrible switch in the record of the world. Several things are going to never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not only for the thousands and countless people straight impacted through these horrendous acts of terrorism, but probably for we all. Our team will find ourselves really feeling in a different way about loads of factors, featuring perhaps space exploration, however.It is actually awful to find smoke cigarettes putting from wounds in your own country coming from such a fantastic point of view. The duality of getting on a spacecraft committed to enhancing everyday life on the earth and also watching lifestyle being ruined by such purposeful, awful acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter that you are. And the understanding that whatever will be different than when our team introduced due to the time we land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation and in our management that our team will perform everything feasible to far better guard her and our families, and also to take fair treatment wherefore has been done. I have assurance that the excellent folks at NASA will certainly carry out every thing needed to continue our mission safely and return us carefully at the correct time. As well as I skip all of you quite. I can not exist along with you personally, as well as our team possess a very long way to go to complete our goal, yet be actually specific that my soul is actually along with you, as well as know you are in my prayers.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final letter ... Thankfully, it's been actually a busy full week up right here. As well as to show that, like our country, our team are actually advancing our designated path with company customarily (as long as possible). Tonight the latest addition to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment will be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States time), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a slot certainly never utilized prior to on the low point edge of the Company Module. This brand-new element will definitely give our company another spot to dock a Development or Soyuz and will certainly supply a sizable airlock with pair of useable hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our team will do a few of before our experts return.The trouble before in dealing with this week was actually too little information. The issue today is actually excessive. It came all at once when email was actually restored, and there's insufficient time to read all of it! Plus it is actually as well tough to cope with all of it instantly. But I enjoy acquiring it, and also I definitely appreciate the fantastic letters of assistance and also relationship I am acquiring.Our experts are actually succeeding on board, acquiring our work carried out, and also speaking about traits. Final evening our team had a lengthy discussion over dinner regarding the significance of these occasions, the achievable actions to follow, and what must be performed. After supper, Michael made a point of telling me that every e-mail he obtained coming from friends in Russia said specifically to tell me how regretful they were that this taken place, expanding their condolences, and also talking to just how I was carrying out. Vladimir instructed me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are considerably too long to articulate simply.) Extremely kind folks.For the final 2 days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to send real-time programs of broadcast information about the activity and associated tales, to see to it I was actually well informed. Every specialist who has begun the line to review a method or a concern has at some point expanded hellos to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that as a result of the wedding of recognition in the United States, throughout the day individuals had actually been bringing blossoms and also edging all the wall surfaces of the US consulate in Moscow, as well as this evening they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. Just how the globe has transformed.People all over appear to recognize the senselessness and also scary in this attack. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has actually dealt with these type of concerns in the last handful of years with apartment or condo and subway battles, so they are as anxious to do away with this risk as we are actually. But the bottom product line is actually that there are excellent people all over who desire to live in peace. I read that a child inquired, "United States is actually thus excellent to other countries, we consistently assist every person, just how can they despise us a great deal?".I hope the example of cooperation and also leave that this space probe and all people in the program show daily will someday influence the remainder of the globe to function the same way. They must!However, our experts will not be flighting over the US during the time individuals are actually igniting candles. Do not understand if we could possibly observe that anyway. Our company performed, having said that, find a quite unusual and lovely view a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our team were actually eclipsing it as well as it emerged regarding three minutes after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight hit our station, so it was actually still at night. It seemed like a large comet along with a right, wide rear silhouetted against the black planet under. Even with some bad illumination for a while as the sun reached our home window at a low perspective, I managed some video of it as to begin with our company passed the rocket, and then viewed it start to mesmerize as it got altitude as well as rate. I filmed until primary engine cutoff and enhancer separation took place equally we came close to daybreak on the Himalayas. A memorable view in an extraordinary week ...Life happens, also in space. We are actually here to remain ... Frank.