.Editor's Note: The adhering to is actually the message of a character coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reflecting on the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written quite about specifics of this purpose during the course of the month I've been right here, mainly for 2 main reasons: the very first being that there has been very little time to accomplish that type of creating, and secondly given that I am actually not sure exactly how comfy I am actually discussing notions I share with friends and family with the remainder of the planet.Effectively, undoubtedly the world transformed today. What I point out or perform is actually really minor matched up to the significance of what took place to our country today when it was assaulted through ... by whom? Terrorists is all we understand, I reckon. Tough to understand at whom to point our rage and fear ...I had simply finished a lot of tasks this morning, one of the most taxing being actually the physical examinations of all team members. In a personal conversation following that, the air travel plastic surgeon informed me they were having a very bad day on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He explained the scenario to me as best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually stunned, then alarmed. My first idea was actually that this had not been a real talk, that I was still paying attention to among my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely really did not appear feasible on this scale in our nation. I could not even envision the details, also just before the updates of more destruction began being available in.Vladimir came by fairly promptly, picking up that one thing incredibly severe was being actually explained. I swayed Michael right into the element as well. They were actually likewise surprised as well as stunned. After our company signed off, I made an effort to reveal to Vladimir as well as Michael as ideal I could the prospective size of the act of terror in midtown Manhattan as well as at the Pentagon. They plainly comprehended and were really understanding.I eyed the World Chart on the computer system to observe where over the globe our experts were as well as noticed that our team were coming southeast away from Canada as well as would be passing over New England in a couple of moments. I zoomed around the station till I found a home window that would offer me a sight of NYC and took hold of the local cam. It happened to be a video camera, and also I was actually appearing southern coming from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have a strange bloom to it at the foundation of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the area. After checking out one of the newspaper article our company just received, I believe we were examining NY around the amount of time of, or not long after, the collapse of the second high rise. Exactly how horrendous ...I scanned the camera the whole time the East Shoreline to the south to find if I can see every other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however absolutely nothing showed up.It was fairly complicated to consider work after that, though we possessed some to accomplish, but on the next orbit our experts went across the US more south. All 3 people were functioning a couple of video cameras to try to obtain views of The big apple or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, yet no particular source may be viewed. It all appeared unbelievable coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can not picture the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Besides the emotional influence of our country being actually tackled and 1000s of our consumers and also maybe some buddies being actually gotten rid of, the best frustrating sensation being where I am actually is one of seclusion.Following day ... I suspect the fatigue and also psychological tension got the very best of me. I could not stay awake and remain to compose. Today was actually still tough, yet our team began obtaining even more information, plus our company possessed the respect of chatting directly with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground groups would certainly continue to operate and guarantee our safety, and also the safe operation of the Place. Our company additionally learnt through our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who included that the partners in the Plan are actually all completely dedicated to continuing safe functions and help. These were actually never questions for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground staffs have actually been astonishingly supportive, really understanding of the effect of the information, and have tried to become as practical as achievable. They have actually all been extremely professional and also centered though I can not picture the diversion of this particular type of updates can be found in as well as the thought and feelings that authorities structures may be in danger. They certainly never bypassed a beat, also when relocating nerve center. And also a team of senior personnel and close friends provided us a quite detailed rundown on what was recognized and what was actually being actually done in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually really handy as well as kind of all of them to do in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supportive and helpful, trying to uplink news articles when our personal possessions were actually unusable, and mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been fantastic, too. They know it is actually been actually a hard day for me and the people on the ground, and also they've attempted to become as even keeled and handy as achievable. Michael even repaired me my preferred Borscht soup for supper. As well as they offer me lots of room to think when I required it. They are actually extremely understanding as well as naturally outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I understand many people in Washington, many individuals who journey to DC and New York City, a lot of that are actually pilots, that I really felt certain I would certainly get at the very least a few pieces of trouble over the next handful of days. I obtained the initial one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that hit the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic throughout cadet summertime when our team resided in the D&B all together, and also our company possessed tons of courses together. I can not visualize what he should of experienced, and also currently I listen to that he might possess risen additionally than our team may also think about by probably avoiding his airplane from being the one to tackle the White Property. What a dreadful reduction, yet I make certain Chic was fighting fearlessly to the end. And also rips do not move the same precede ...It's difficult to define just how it experiences to become the only United States fully off the world at a time including this. The emotion that I ought to exist along with each of you, coping with this, aiding in some way, is actually frustrating. I understand that our experts perform the threshold (or beyond) of a horrible change in the background of the globe. Several things will never ever be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the manies thousand as well as hundreds of folks directly influenced by these horrible actions of violence, however possibly for we all. We will find ourselves feeling in a different way regarding dozens of things, including probably room exploration, however.It's unpleasant to see smoke cigarettes putting coming from injuries in your own nation coming from such an amazing angle. The duality of performing a space capsule devoted to enhancing live on the planet and enjoying lifestyle being actually damaged by such witting, awful actions is jolting to the psyche, no matter that you are actually. As well as the understanding that whatever will be various than when our experts launched due to the opportunity we land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country as well as in our management that our team will do every thing possible to better defend her and our loved ones, as well as to bring compensation for what has been carried out. I have confidence that the great folks at NASA are going to do every thing needed to proceed our goal carefully and return our company safely at the right time. As well as I overlook each one of you quite. I can not be there with you in person, and also we possess a very long way to head to finish our mission, but be specific that my center is actually along with you, and also understand you are in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final letter ... Thankfully, it is actually been actually a hectic full week up right here. And also to show that, like our country, our experts are continuing on our planned path with organization customarily (as long as achievable). Tonight the current addition to the station, the Russian Docking Area will be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US time), it will definitely dock along with our team, at a port never made use of before on the low point edge of the Company Component. This brand-new element will give our company one more spot to dock a Progress or Soyuz and will give a sizable airlock with two useable hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our experts will certainly do a few of before we get home.The issue before in managing recently was actually insufficient information. The complication right now is actually too much. It came simultaneously when e-mail was recovered, and also there is actually inadequate opportunity to read everything! Plus it is actually also challenging to deal with all of it instantly. But I enjoy obtaining it, and also I really value the fantastic characters of assistance as well as companionship I am getting.Our experts are doing well aboard, acquiring our work done, and talking about traits. Last night we had a long conversation over dinner regarding the importance of these occasions, the feasible actions to comply with, and also what ought to be actually carried out. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every e-mail he acquired from friends in Russia pointed out especially to tell me how sorry they were that this occurred, extending their acknowledgements, and also talking to exactly how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir educated me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are considerably too lengthy to pronounce effortlessly.) Extremely type folks.For the last pair of times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to broadcast real-time broadcasts of radio headlines concerning the event and affiliated accounts, to make certain I was actually well educated. Every specialist that has actually started the line to go over a technique or a complication has at some aspect expanded introductions to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that as a result of the wedding of remembrance in the United States, throughout the day individuals had been delivering florals and also edging all the walls of the United States consular office in Moscow, and this evening they were actually igniting candles in the road outside the consular office. How the world has transformed.Folks everywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and also horror in this attack. As well as the significant reduction. Moscow has actually dealt with these kind of problems in the last few years along with home and subway battles, so they are as restless to remove this threat as our company are. However the bottom line is actually that there are actually really good people everywhere who wish to stay in tranquility. I read that a little one asked, "The United States is actually therefore great to other nations, our team regularly assist everyone, just how can they hate our company a lot?".I really hope the instance of collaboration and also leave that this space capsule and all the people in the course display daily are going to at some point motivate the rest of the planet to function similarly. They must!However, we won't be flying over the US during the time individuals are igniting candlesticks. Don't know if our experts might see that anyway. Our experts did, however, observe a very unusual and also wonderful attraction a couple of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our experts were actually surpassing it and it emerged concerning three moments after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine hit our station, so it was actually still unaware. It resembled a sizable comet along with a straight, wide tail silhouetted versus the dark planet under. In spite of some negative lighting for a while as the sun struck our home window at a reduced angle, I dealt with some video recording of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and after that enjoyed it begin to catch up as it acquired altitude and speed. I filmed up until main motor deadline and also booster separation developed equally as we approached sunrise on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable view in an extraordinary full week ...Lifestyle goes on, also in space. We are actually listed below to keep ... Frank.