.Publisher's Keep in mind: The following is actually the content of a letter coming from Trip 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), assessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written significantly regarding specifics of this particular objective throughout the month I've been here, mainly for two causes: the very first being actually that there has actually been extremely little opportunity to do that type of creating, and furthermore, because I am actually uncertain how comfortable I am discussing thought and feelings I provide family and friends with the remainder of the globe.Effectively, undoubtedly the globe changed today. What I state or even do is incredibly minor compared to the importance of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually attacked through ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I think. Hard to recognize at whom to point our temper as well as fear ...I had only ended up an amount of duties this morning, the best lengthy being the physical examinations of all crew participants. In a personal chat observing that, the trip surgeon told me they were having a really bad time on the ground. I had no idea ...He described the situation to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was amazed, then terrified. My 1st idea was actually that this wasn't a true chat, that I was still listening closely to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It just really did not seem to be feasible on this scale in our country. I could not even imagine the particulars, also prior to the news of more destruction started being available in.Vladimir visited rather rapidly, noticing that something really severe was being covered. I swayed Michael into the component at the same time. They were also blown away and stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as best I can the possible immensity of the act of horror in midtown New york and also at the Government. They clearly knew as well as were really compassionate.I browsed the Planet Map on the personal computer to view where over the world we were as well as noticed that our company were happening southeast out of Canada and also would be actually skipping New England in a couple of minutes. I zoomed around the terminal until I located a window that would offer me a perspective of NYC and got hold of the nearby video camera. It happened to become a video camera, and I was looking south from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to be to possess a strange bloom to it at the bottom of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the city. After checking out one of the newspaper article our company merely received, I think we were actually taking a look at NY around the moment of, or soon after, the collapse of the 2nd tower. How awful ...I scanned the camera all along the East Shoreline to the south to view if I might see some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, but nothing was visible.It was actually fairly complicated to deal with work afterwards, though our experts had some to carry out, however on the next orbit our experts crossed the United States further south. All 3 people were actually working a couple of video cameras to attempt to obtain sights of New york city or Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no certain source can be observed. All of it looked fabulous from two to three hundred miles away. I can not visualize the awful settings on the ground.Besides the psychological influence of our country being actually attacked and also thousands of our citizens and maybe some buddies being actually killed, one of the most frustrating emotion being actually where I am is among isolation.Following time ... I think the exhaustion as well as emotional stress acquired the best of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as continue to compose. Today was actually still difficult, but our experts began obtaining more relevant information, plus our team had the honor of talking directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground groups will continue to function and also guarantee our safety and security, as well as the safe function of the Place. Our experts likewise heard from our Manager, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the Plan are all entirely devoted to continuing safe procedures as well as help. These were never ever concerns for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground crews have actually been actually surprisingly supporting, really understanding of the influence of the headlines, and also have made an effort to become as valuable as feasible. They have actually all been actually quite specialist as well as concentrated though I can't picture the interruption of this particular type of updates being available in and the thought and feelings that authorities buildings might be vulnerable. They never avoided a beat, even when relocating nerve center. As well as a group of senior personnel as well as pals offered us a rather detailed rundown about what was actually understood and also what was actually being actually done in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually really useful as well as sort of all of them to do in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been supporting and also beneficial, trying to uplink newspaper article when our personal properties were actually unusable, and claiming kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually terrific, too. They know it's been actually a tough day for me and the people on the ground, as well as they have actually tried to be as also keeled and helpful as possible. Michael also repaired me my preferred Borscht soup for supper. As well as they offer me plenty of space to believe when I needed it. They are very understanding and also naturally shocked at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize a lot of folks in Washington, plenty of individuals that take a trip to DC and NYC, a lot of who are aviators, that I felt sure I will obtain at the very least a couple of pieces of trouble over the next handful of days. I obtained the initial one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that struck the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I encountered Chic during cadet summer when our team remained in the D&B with each other, and also we had bunches of lessons all together. I can't visualize what he should of gone through, and also currently I hear that he may possess increased even more than we can also consider by perhaps stopping his plane from being the one to tackle the White Residence. What a horrible loss, but I ensure Chic was actually fighting fearlessly throughout. And also tears don't circulate the very same in space ...It is actually challenging to illustrate exactly how it feels to be the only United States completely off the world at once like this. The sensation that I ought to be there with all of you, handling this, helping in some way, is actually difficult. I understand that our team get on the limit (or even beyond) of a horrible shift in the past history of the planet. Lots of factors are going to never ever be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not just for the thousands and also thousands of individuals straight had an effect on by these hideous acts of terrorism, however perhaps for we all. Our experts will definitely discover our own selves really feeling differently regarding loads of things, featuring perhaps area expedition, however.It's terrible to see smoke cigarettes putting coming from injuries in your personal nation from such a superb vantage point. The dichotomy of being on a spacecraft devoted to improving everyday life on the planet and also seeing lifestyle being ruined by such deliberate, horrible process is actually jolting to the subconscious, despite that you are. And also the expertise that every thing will definitely be actually different than when our company released due to the time our company land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our leadership that we will certainly carry out every little thing achievable to better shield her as well as our households, and to take fair treatment of what has actually been actually performed. I possess self-confidence that the great folks at NASA will definitely carry out every little thing needed to proceed our purpose securely and also return us carefully at the correct time. As well as I miss all of you very much. I can't exist with you personally, and also our experts possess a long way to head to accomplish our objective, however be specific that my heart is with you, and understand you remain in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Luckily, it is actually been a hectic week up right here. And to prove that, like our country, we are actually advancing our desired path along with company as usual (as long as feasible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will definitely be launched coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States opportunity), it will definitely dock with our team, at a slot never ever utilized just before on the nadir side of the Company Module. This new module will give us an additional place to dock a Progression or even Soyuz and also will give a big airlock with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which we will definitely do a few of before we return.The problem just before in coping with this week was actually too little updates. The concern today is way too much. It arrived all at once when e-mail was actually repaired, and also there is actually not enough opportunity to read it all! Plus it is actually too challenging to deal with all of it immediately. But I enjoy getting it, and also I actually cherish the great characters of support as well as friendly relationship I am actually acquiring.Our experts are actually flourishing aboard, acquiring our job performed, as well as referring to traits. Last night our company had a long dialogue over supper regarding the value of these occasions, the possible actions to adhere to, and what must be actually performed. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every email he obtained coming from close friends in Russia mentioned primarily to tell me just how sorry they were actually that this happened, extending their acknowledgements, and also inquiring how I was doing. Vladimir showed me the Russian term for "condolences" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar City. (Both the Russian as well as the English words are actually much very lengthy to verbalize conveniently.) Extremely type individuals.For the final two times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transfer real-time programs of broadcast updates concerning the event and also linked stories, to be sure I was properly educated. Every professional who has begun the line to go over an operation or even a trouble has at some aspect prolonged introductions to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that due to the wedding day of remembrance in the US, all day folks had actually been carrying florals and also lining all the wall surfaces of the United States consular office in Moscow, as well as this evening they were igniting candlesticks in the road outside the consular office. Exactly how the world has modified.Folks anywhere seem to recognize the senselessness as well as scary in this particular attack. And the enormous loss. Moscow has taken care of these kind of issues in the last couple of years along with home and metro bombings, so they are as troubled to remove this hazard as our company are. However all-time low line is actually that there are actually really good individuals just about everywhere that desire to stay in peace. I check out that a child asked, "America is actually thus great to various other countries, our team consistently assist everyone, how can they loathe us so much?".I hope the example of collaboration and depend on that this spacecraft and all individuals in the program show daily will someday inspire the rest of the globe to function similarly. They must!Regrettably, our team will not be piloting over the United States during the time folks are actually lighting candlesticks. Don't understand if we could possibly see that anyhow. We performed, having said that, find a really uncommon and also lovely view a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our company were actually surpassing it and also it came into view about 3 mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine hit our terminal, so it was actually still in the dark. It seemed like a big comet along with a straight, vast tail silhouetted versus the darker world under. Even with some poor lighting for some time as the sunshine hit our window at a low angle, I dealt with some video recording of it as initially our team passed the spacecraft, and then saw it start to mesmerize as it obtained height as well as velocity. I filmed until primary motor deadline and booster separation developed just like our company moved toward sunrise on the Himalayas. An extraordinary view in a remarkable full week ...Life takes place, even precede. We're listed here to keep ... Frank.