.Publisher's Keep in mind: The complying with is actually the content of a letter from Exploration 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reflecting on the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed significantly regarding specifics of this particular mission during the course of the month I have actually been actually listed here, primarily for pair of explanations: the first being that there has actually been quite little bit of opportunity to accomplish that type of writing, and second of all given that I'm not sure exactly how pleasant I am discussing ideas I provide family and friends with the rest of the world.Effectively, clearly the globe transformed today. What I mention or do is really slight compared to the implication of what happened to our country today when it was actually attacked by ... by whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I guess. Difficult to understand at whom to drive our temper as well as worry ...I had merely ended up a lot of activities today, the best taxing being actually the physical examinations of all staff participants. In an exclusive talk complying with that, the air travel doctor informed me they were possessing a quite bad day on the ground. I had no tip ...He explained the situation to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually thrown for a loop, after that alarmed. My initial notion was actually that this had not been a real chat, that I was still listening to among my Tom Clancy strips. It only really did not seem feasible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not also envision the particulars, even before the updates of more devastation started can be found in.Vladimir came by quite swiftly, picking up that something incredibly severe was actually being actually gone over. I swung Michael into the module at the same time. They were additionally amazed and stunned. After our experts authorized off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I could the prospective enormity of this act of horror in midtown Manhattan and at the Pentagon. They accurately comprehended and also were actually really understanding.I glanced at the Globe Chart on the personal computer to find where over the planet our team were as well as noticed that our team were happening southeast away from Canada and also will be actually overlooking New England in a couple of mins. I whized around the station up until I discovered a home window that will offer me a perspective of New York City and also took hold of the local video camera. It happened to be a camera, and I was appearing southern coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to possess an odd flower to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the city. After checking out some of the news articles our experts merely acquired, I believe our experts were considering NY around the time of, or even not long after, the collapse of the 2nd high rise. How horrendous ...I swept the video camera all along the East Coastline to the south to observe if I could observe every other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing was visible.It was pretty tough to consider work afterwards, though our team possessed some to carry out, yet on the upcoming track our company traversed the United States further southern. All 3 of us were actually working 1 or 2 cams to attempt to acquire viewpoints of Nyc or even Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, however no specific resource might be observed. It all looked astonishing from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can not imagine the terrible scenes on the ground.Besides the psychological influence of our nation being dealt with as well as 1000s of our consumers and also possibly some friends being actually eliminated, the most difficult sensation being actually where I am is one of seclusion.Following day ... I guess the fatigue and also psychological strain acquired the very best of me. I couldn't remain awake and continue to create. Today was still tough, however our team began receiving more details, plus our team had the respect of talking directly along with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who ensured our company that the ground groups will continue to function as well as guarantee our safety and security, and also the secure operation of the Station. We additionally spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the companions in the Program are actually all totally committed to proceeding secure operations and assistance. These were certainly never inquiries for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground staffs have been actually incredibly supporting, quite understanding of the influence of the information, and have actually made an effort to be as handy as achievable. They have actually all been actually quite professional as well as concentrated though I can't think of the diversion of this form of news coming in and also the thought that government structures could be in danger. They never ever avoided a beat, even when moving nerve center. As well as a group of elderly employees as well as friends offered us a rather thorough rundown about what was recognized and also what was actually being carried out in the government and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually extremely handy and also sort of all of them to carry out in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually encouraging and helpful, attempting to uplink news articles when our very own assets were actually inoperable, and mentioning kind words ...My crewmates have been actually excellent, as well. They know it is actually been a tough time for me as well as the people on the ground, as well as they have actually attempted to become as even keeled and also useful as possible. Michael also fixed me my favored Borscht soup for dinner. And they provide me plenty of area to presume when I required it. They are very sympathetic and obviously outraged at whoever will perform this.I recognize so many folks in Washington, numerous individuals that journey to DC and NYC, a lot of that are actually captains, that I experienced sure I would certainly acquire a minimum of a couple of pieces of bad news over the upcoming handful of times. I got the first one today when I found out that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that hit the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I found Chic in the course of cadet summer when our experts remained in the D&B all together, and our experts possessed bunches of training class all together. I can not visualize what he has to of undergone, and also currently I listen to that he might have climbed even further than our experts can even think about by probably preventing his aircraft from being actually the one to deal with the White House. What a horrendous loss, but I ensure Chic was combating bravely throughout. And rips don't flow the exact same in space ...It is actually hard to explain just how it experiences to be the only American entirely off the planet at a time including this. The emotion that I must be there with every one of you, dealing with this, assisting somehow, is difficult. I recognize that our experts are on the threshold (or even past) of a horrendous switch in the past history of the planet. A lot of traits are going to certainly never be the same again after September 11, 2001. Not just for the manies thousand as well as thousands of folks straight had an effect on by these hideous process of violence, however most likely for all of us. Our company are going to find our own selves experiencing differently regarding lots of points, including possibly space expedition, regrettably.It is actually dreadful to view smoke putting coming from wounds in your personal nation from such an amazing perspective. The duality of getting on a spacecraft committed to boosting daily life on the earth as well as seeing lifestyle being actually damaged through such witting, horrible acts is jolting to the subconscious, no matter who you are. And the understanding that every little thing will be different than when our team introduced due to the opportunity our experts land is actually a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our leadership that our team will certainly carry out everything feasible to far better guard her and our families, as well as to take compensation for what has actually been actually carried out. I possess peace of mind that the really good people at NASA will certainly do everything required to proceed our goal carefully and also return our company safely and securely at the correct time. As well as I miss out on every one of you quite. I can't be there along with you personally, as well as our experts possess a long way to visit finish our objective, but be specific that my soul is actually with you, as well as recognize you reside in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last character ... The good news is, it is actually been a hectic full week up here. And to verify that, like our nation, we are advancing our planned course with service customarily (as long as feasible). Tonight the latest addition to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will definitely be introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US time), it will definitely dock with our team, at a port certainly never used prior to on the low point side of the Company Component. This brand new module will certainly give our company yet another area to dock an Improvement or Soyuz and will definitely deliver a large airlock with 2 useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which we will definitely carry out a few of prior to our experts come home.The concern before in managing this week was inadequate information. The problem now is too much. It arrived simultaneously when e-mail was recovered, as well as there's not nearly enough opportunity to review it all! Plus it's also challenging to take care of all of it at the same time. Yet I enjoy receiving it, as well as I really value the wonderful characters of assistance and also friendship I am actually acquiring.Our experts are flourishing aboard, acquiring our job done, and also talking about points. Last night our team possessed a lengthy discussion over supper regarding the value of these occasions, the possible actions to follow, and also what must be actually carried out. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he acquired from pals in Russia pointed out especially to tell me how regretful they were actually that this happened, prolonging their condolences, and inquiring just how I was performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are actually a lot very lengthy to articulate quickly.) Incredibly type folks.For the final 2 times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to send live programs of broadcast news regarding the celebration as well as connected tales, to make sure I was effectively updated. Every specialist that has actually begun free throw line to review a method or even an issue contends some point expanded greetings to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that due to the wedding day of remembrance in the US, all day individuals had actually been delivering florals and edging all the wall structures of the US consulate in Moscow, as well as this night they were igniting candlesticks in the road outside the consular office. Exactly how the world has actually transformed.People everywhere seem to recognize the senselessness as well as horror in this particular attack. And the tremendous reduction. Moscow has managed these sort of complications in the final few years along with apartment and also subway bombings, so they are as restless to get rid of this hazard as our company are. Yet all-time low series is actually that there are actually great people anywhere that want to stay in tranquility. I read through that a youngster talked to, "The United States is so good to various other nations, our company always aid every person, exactly how can they dislike our team a great deal?".I hope the instance of collaboration and also count on that this space probe plus all the people in the system demonstrate daily will at some point inspire the rest of the planet to function the same way. They must!Regrettably, we won't be taking flight over the United States while people are igniting candle lights. Do not recognize if our company can view that anyway. Our experts carried out, nevertheless, view an extremely uncommon and also gorgeous sight a handful of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz booster. Our team were overtaking it and it appeared concerning three mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight attacked our terminal, so it was actually still unaware. It seemed like a huge comet with a straight, vast rear silhouetted versus the darker earth underneath. Despite some poor lighting for some time as the sunshine struck our home window at a reduced viewpoint, I managed some video of it as initially we passed the rocket, and after that watched it begin to mesmerize as it got height as well as speed. I filmed up until main engine cutoff and enhancer splitting up happened equally as we approached sunrise on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary view in a memorable week ...Life takes place, also precede. Our experts're right here to keep ... Frank.