.Editor's Details: The adhering to is actually the content of a character coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written quite regarding specifics of the purpose in the course of the month I have actually been here, mostly for 2 factors: the initial being that there has actually been actually really little time to perform that type of composing, as well as second of all because I'm not sure just how relaxed I am discussing thought and feelings I provide friends and family along with the rest of the planet.Properly, certainly the globe modified today. What I state or carry out is actually incredibly slight reviewed to the implication of what happened to our nation today when it was attacked through ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we understand, I think. Hard to understand at whom to drive our anger and also anxiety ...I had actually simply completed a lot of activities today, the most taxing being the physical exams of all crew participants. In a personal discussion observing that, the flight surgeon told me they were having a really bad time on the ground. I had no tip ...He described the condition to me as finest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually shocked, at that point frightened. My initial thought and feelings was that this wasn't an actual discussion, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just didn't appear achievable on this scale in our country. I could not also think of the details, even just before the headlines of further destruction started coming in.Vladimir dropped in rather promptly, noticing that something incredibly serious was actually being actually talked about. I swung Michael into the component at the same time. They were actually likewise surprised as well as stunned. After our experts signed off, I tried to describe to Vladimir and also Michael as greatest I can the potential enormity of the act of horror in midtown New york and also at the Pentagon. They clearly comprehended and also were actually really compassionate.I glanced at the Planet Map on the pc to see where over the globe our company were as well as discovered that our company were coming southeast out of Canada and also will be skipping New England in a couple of moments. I whized around the station till I discovered a window that would certainly give me a view of New York City and got hold of the closest electronic camera. It occurred to become a camera, and also I was looking southern from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have an odd flower to it at the bottom of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the area. After going through among the newspaper article our experts merely got, I believe our team were taking a look at NY around the moment of, or quickly after, the collapse of the second high rise. How dreadful ...I swung the electronic camera all along the East Coastline to the south to observe if I might observe some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing showed up.It was actually pretty challenging to think about work after that, though our company had some to perform, yet on the upcoming track our team went across the United States more southern. All 3 of us were actually working 1 or 2 cams to attempt to obtain perspectives of New york city or even Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no specific source could be observed. All of it looked fabulous coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can't imagine the unfortunate settings on the ground.Besides the mental effect of our country being actually dealt with and thousands of our citizens as well as perhaps some buddies being actually eliminated, the most difficult emotion being where I am actually is just one of seclusion.Upcoming time ... I suppose the exhaustion as well as mental tension received the most ideal of me. I could not remain awake as well as continue to compose. Today was still challenging, but our team began obtaining additional relevant information, plus our team possessed the honor of talking directly with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that assured our company that the ground groups would remain to operate and ensure our security, and also the safe operation of the Place. Our company likewise heard from our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who added that the companions in the System are actually all totally committed to carrying on safe procedures as well as support. These were never concerns for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground crews have been actually extremely encouraging, extremely understanding of the effect of the news, and also have attempted to become as valuable as feasible. They have all been actually extremely specialist and also focused though I can not imagine the interruption of the type of news coming in as well as the thought and feelings that authorities buildings might be in danger. They certainly never bypassed a beat, also when moving control centers. As well as a group of elderly workers as well as good friends provided our company a quite complete instruction on what was actually understood and what was being performed in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was incredibly handy and sort of all of them to carry out in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has also been actually supportive and also useful, trying to uplink news articles when our own possessions were actually inoperable, as well as saying kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually terrific, also. They recognize it's been a tough time for me and the folks on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to become as also keeled and handy as achievable. Michael also fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they offer me loads of area to presume when I required it. They are extremely considerate as well as certainly outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize numerous folks in Washington, so many folks who take a trip to DC and New York City, so many who are flies, that I really felt sure I would receive at the very least a few pieces of trouble over the upcoming handful of days. I received the 1st one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that struck the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I came across Chic during cadet summer months when our team were in the D&B with each other, as well as our company possessed bunches of courses together. I can't envision what he must of gone through, and right now I hear that he may possess climbed better than we may also consider through perhaps preventing his airplane coming from being actually the one to deal with the White Property. What a terrible reduction, however I make sure Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. And splits don't move the same in space ...It is actually difficult to explain just how it feels to become the only American entirely off the world at a time such as this. The sensation that I must exist with each one of you, taking care of this, helping in some way, is difficult. I recognize that our team are on the limit (or past) of a horrendous shift in the background of the world. A lot of factors will never ever coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not just for the 1000s as well as thousands of people straight had an effect on through these hideous actions of terrorism, but perhaps for we all. Our company will certainly find our own selves feeling in different ways concerning lots of factors, featuring probably room expedition, unfortunately.It is actually terrible to find smoke putting coming from cuts in your personal nation from such a wonderful viewpoint. The dichotomy of performing a space probe dedicated to boosting daily life on the earth and seeing lifestyle being actually damaged by such premeditated, horrible acts is actually jolting to the psyche, despite who you are. As well as the expertise that everything will be different than when our company introduced due to the opportunity our experts land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our leadership that we are going to perform everything possible to much better protect her and also our loved ones, and also to bring fair treatment wherefore has actually been done. I possess self-confidence that the really good individuals at NASA are going to carry out every little thing necessary to continue our goal properly and also return our team securely at the correct time. As well as I miss out on all of you significantly. I can not be there along with you face to face, and also our experts possess a long way to go to finish our mission, however be certain that my center is actually along with you, as well as recognize you are in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final letter ... Thankfully, it's been a hectic full week up right here. As well as to verify that, like our nation, our team are continuing on our intended pathway along with service as usual (as much as possible). Tonight the most up to date enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will definitely be introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States time), it is going to dock along with us, at a port certainly never utilized prior to on the low point edge of the Service Element. This brand-new component is going to give our team another place to dock a Progress or Soyuz as well as will definitely supply a big airlock along with pair of useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan suits, which our team are going to perform a few of just before our company come home.The problem prior to in taking care of today was actually insufficient news. The issue right now is actually way too much. It arrived at one time when e-mail was actually brought back, and there's not nearly enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it is actually too hard to handle all of it instantly. However I value receiving it, and also I really value the fantastic characters of assistance as well as relationship I am getting.We are prospering aboard, getting our job done, as well as talking about traits. Final night our experts possessed a lengthy discussion over supper about the significance of these occasions, the achievable actions to adhere to, and what ought to be carried out. After supper, Michael resolved informing me that every email he got coming from buddies in Russia said primarily to inform me just how regretful they were actually that this taken place, extending their condolences, and talking to exactly how I was doing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are much very lengthy to articulate easily.) Very types people.For the last pair of days, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to broadcast real-time broadcasts of broadcast information regarding the celebration and associated tales, to see to it I was well informed. Every specialist who has actually started free throw line to discuss a method or a trouble contends some point prolonged introductions to me along with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our team that as a result of the big day of remembrance in the US, all the time individuals had actually been taking florals as well as edging all the walls of the US consulate in Moscow, as well as this night they were actually igniting candlesticks in the road outside the consular office. How the planet has modified.People anywhere seem to be to identify the senselessness as well as horror in this strike. And also the enormous reduction. Moscow has actually handled these type of complications in the final couple of years with home and subway bombings, so they are actually as distressed to do away with this threat as we are. However the bottom series is that there are actually good people everywhere who desire to stay in peace. I check out that a child inquired, "United States is actually thus good to various other nations, our company consistently aid everyone, just how can they detest our team a lot?".I hope the instance of collaboration and also depend on that this spacecraft and all individuals in the program illustrate daily are going to sooner or later influence the rest of the world to work the same way. They must!Regrettably, our experts will not be actually taking flight over the US while folks are lighting candles. Do not recognize if our team might view that anyhow. Our experts carried out, nevertheless, view a really unique as well as wonderful sight a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. We were surpassing it and also it came into view concerning 3 mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sun struck our terminal, so it was actually still in the dark. It resembled a sizable comet with a straight, broad rear silhouetted against the black world underneath. Regardless of some poor lights for a while as the sunshine attacked our home window at a low viewpoint, I took care of some video recording of it as first our company passed the spacecraft, and after that watched it start to catch up as it obtained height as well as rate. I recorded until main engine cutoff and enhancer splitting up took place just like our experts moved toward sunrise on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable attraction in an unforgettable week ...Life goes on, also precede. We're listed here to stay ... Frank.