.Editor's Keep in mind: The following is actually the text of a letter coming from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reflecting on the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created quite regarding specifics of the mission during the month I have actually been listed here, mostly for 2 factors: the 1st being actually that there has actually been actually incredibly little bit of opportunity to accomplish that kind of writing, and second of all given that I am actually uncertain how comfy I am actually sharing notions I show to friends and family with the rest of the world.Properly, clearly the world changed today. What I state or carry out is quite slight compared to the implication of what occurred to our country today when it was attacked through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I suspect. Hard to understand at whom to route our rage as well as concern ...I had actually simply ended up a lot of duties today, the best lengthy being the physical exams of all staff participants. In a private chat observing that, the tour doctor told me they were possessing a quite bad time on the ground. I had no idea ...He explained the condition to me as absolute best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually thrown for a loop, after that frightened. My 1st thought and feelings was actually that this wasn't a genuine conversation, that I was actually still listening to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It just didn't seem to be feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't even envision the details, also prior to the updates of further damage began being available in.Vladimir came rather promptly, sensing that something quite significant was being actually covered. I waved Michael into the module too. They were also amazed as well as stunned. After our company signed off, I attempted to detail to Vladimir and also Michael as best I could possibly the prospective measurement of this particular act of fear in downtown New york and at the Government. They clearly understood and were extremely understanding.I eyed the World Chart on the pc to observe where over the world our team were actually and saw that our experts were actually coming southeast away from Canada as well as would certainly be overlooking New England in a few moments. I whized around the station till I found a home window that will offer me a sight of NYC and also took hold of the closest electronic camera. It happened to be a video camera, and also I was looking southern coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have an odd bloom to it at the bottom of the column that was streaming south of the urban area. After going through among the news articles we just received, I think our experts were actually examining NY around the moment of, or even not long after, the crash of the 2nd high rise. Just how terrible ...I swept the camera during the East Coastline to the south to observe if I could observe every other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually pretty difficult to consider work afterwards, though we possessed some to perform, however on the following orbit our experts moved across the US more southern. All 3 of us were working a couple of cameras to try to obtain perspectives of Nyc or Washington. There was haze over Washington, yet no details source might be observed. It all looked amazing from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't visualize the terrible scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental impact of our country being actually tackled and 1000s of our citizens and also possibly some close friends being actually gotten rid of, one of the most mind-boggling sensation being where I am actually is among isolation.Upcoming time ... I suspect the tiredness and emotional strain acquired the very best of me. I could not remain awake as well as remain to write. Today was still difficult, yet our team started obtaining additional details, plus our team possessed the honor of speaking directly with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that ensured our team that the ground crews would certainly continue to work and ensure our security, and also the secure procedure of the Place. Our company also talked to our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the Course are actually all entirely committed to carrying on risk-free functions and assistance. These were never ever inquiries for me. I know all these folks! The ground groups have actually been unbelievably encouraging, quite understanding of the effect of the updates, and also have attempted to become as valuable as feasible. They have actually all been incredibly expert as well as focused though I can not envision the diversion of this particular kind of updates can be found in and also the thought and feelings that federal government buildings could be at risk. They never ever skipped a beat, even when relocating control centers. And also a team of senior workers and also pals gave our company a rather comprehensive briefing about what was recognized and what was actually being performed in the authorities and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was really practical and also sort of all of them to accomplish in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually helpful and practical, attempting to uplink news articles when our very own resources were actually inoperable, and also claiming kind words ...My crewmates have been great, too. They know it is actually been actually a tough day for me and the folks on the ground, and also they have actually tried to become as also keeled as well as useful as achievable. Michael also repaired me my favorite Borscht soup for supper. And they give me loads of area to assume when I required it. They are actually extremely understanding and also of course outraged at whoever would certainly do this.I know plenty of individuals in Washington, a lot of folks who journey to DC and also New York City, numerous that are actually captains, that I felt certain I will get a minimum of a handful of pieces of trouble over the upcoming handful of times. I acquired the first one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that reached the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I met Chic during plebe summer when our team were in the D&B all together, as well as we had lots of lessons with each other. I can not imagine what he should of gone through, and now I hear that he may have climbed better than our team can also think about by probably avoiding his plane from being actually the one to deal with the White Property. What an awful loss, however I'm sure Chic was fighting bravely to the end. As well as rips do not stream the same precede ...It's tough to illustrate how it really feels to become the only United States completely off the world at once like this. The feeling that I should be there along with each of you, taking care of this, aiding somehow, is actually difficult. I understand that we perform the limit (or even past) of a dreadful switch in the record of the world. Many traits are going to never coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the 1000s and also lots of folks directly impacted through these horrible process of terrorism, however perhaps for everybody. We will locate our own selves feeling in a different way about lots of factors, featuring probably room expedition, however.It is actually horrible to observe smoke cigarettes putting coming from cuts in your personal nation from such a wonderful perspective. The dichotomy of performing a space probe devoted to enhancing daily life on the earth and enjoying lifestyle being actually destroyed by such witting, terrible acts is actually jolting to the mind, regardless of that you are actually. And the expertise that whatever are going to be actually various than when we released by the opportunity we land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation as well as in our management that our team are going to do everything possible to far better shield her and our households, as well as to bring fair treatment wherefore has been actually performed. I possess assurance that the good people at NASA will definitely do everything essential to continue our mission safely and securely as well as return our company carefully at the correct time. And also I miss out on each one of you significantly. I can't be there with you face to face, as well as our team have a long way to head to accomplish our mission, yet be actually certain that my center is along with you, and also know you reside in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Fortunately, it's been a hectic week up listed below. And also to prove that, like our nation, our company are continuing on our planned course with business customarily (as high as achievable). Tonight the current addition to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment will be introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (United States time), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a slot certainly never made use of just before on the nadir edge of the Service Component. This new element is going to offer our company yet another location to dock a Progression or Soyuz as well as will deliver a large airlock with pair of able to be used hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our experts will definitely perform a few of before we get home.The problem just before in dealing with this week was inadequate information. The concern right now is actually too much. It arrived simultaneously when email was rejuvenated, and there is actually insufficient opportunity to read all of it! Plus it's as well challenging to take care of all of it instantly. But I cherish obtaining it, and also I definitely value the fantastic letters of help as well as friendly relationship I am receiving.Our company are actually succeeding on board, acquiring our job performed, and talking about factors. Last evening our team had a lengthy discussion over supper regarding the implication of these occasions, the achievable activities to observe, and also what ought to be actually done. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every e-mail he received from friends in Russia claimed primarily to tell me just how regretful they were actually that this occurred, extending their acknowledgements, and also talking to just how I was carrying out. Vladimir taught me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian and the English terms are actually much extremely long to articulate easily.) Extremely type individuals.For the final two days, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to broadcast real-time programs of radio information about the activity and also linked stories, to make certain I was actually properly educated. Every expert that has actually come on free throw line to talk about a technique or even a concern contends some point prolonged introductions to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that as a result of the special day of remembrance in the United States, all the time people had actually been carrying blooms as well as lining all the walls of the United States embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were actually lighting candlesticks in the road outside the embassy. How the planet has actually transformed.Individuals just about everywhere seem to be to acknowledge the senselessness as well as scary in this assault. As well as the incredible reduction. Moscow has actually managed these type of complications in the final handful of years with apartment and also train battles, so they are as nervous to get rid of this hazard as our team are actually. However the bottom series is that there are excellent individuals anywhere who would like to live in tranquility. I read through that a kid talked to, "The United States is therefore really good to various other nations, our experts regularly aid everybody, just how can they detest us so much?".I hope the example of teamwork and also trust that this space capsule plus all individuals in the program illustrate daily are going to sooner or later encourage the rest of the planet to operate the same way. They must!However, our company will not be actually flighting over the US while folks are actually igniting candles. Do not understand if our experts might find that anyway. Our experts performed, nevertheless, observe an extremely uncommon and also wonderful view a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually eclipsing it and also it appeared regarding three minutes after its launch from Baikonur as the sunlight reached our station, so it was still at night. It appeared like a huge comet with a straight, large rear silhouetted versus the dark planet below. In spite of some bad lights for some time as the sun reached our home window at a low viewpoint, I took care of some online video of it as to begin with we passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it begin to catch up as it got elevation as well as speed. I recorded till main motor deadline and booster splitting up developed just as our team came close to sunup on the Himalayas. An unforgettable view in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle takes place, even in space. Our team're here to keep ... Frank.