.Publisher's Note: The adhering to is actually the message of a letter from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reviewing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed very much concerning specifics of this particular purpose during the month I've been listed below, generally for two main reasons: the very first being actually that there has actually been extremely little time to do that type of writing, and also also due to the fact that I'm not exactly sure how comfy I am discussing ideas I provide family and friends along with the rest of the planet.Effectively, clearly the globe altered today. What I claim or even carry out is actually really slight contrasted to the importance of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually struck through ... by whom? Terrorists is all we know, I suppose. Hard to recognize at whom to point our temper and concern ...I had merely ended up a variety of jobs this morning, the absolute most time-consuming being actually the physical exams of all staff members. In an exclusive conversation adhering to that, the trip specialist told me they were actually possessing a quite bad time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He defined the scenario to me as ideal he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, then frightened. My 1st thought was actually that this had not been an actual conversation, that I was actually still listening closely to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just really did not appear possible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not even think of the particulars, even prior to the updates of additional destruction started being available in.Vladimir came fairly promptly, sensing that one thing very significant was actually being actually covered. I swung Michael right into the element also. They were actually also blown away as well as stunned. After our experts authorized off, I attempted to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as finest I could possibly the prospective enormity of the show of terror in midtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They clearly recognized and were actually incredibly sympathetic.I eyed the Planet Chart on the pc to find where over the globe our team were and noticed that our experts were actually coming southeast out of Canada and also would certainly be actually passing over New England in a few minutes. I whized around the terminal up until I discovered a window that would provide me a sight of New York City and also nabbed the nearest camera. It happened to be a video camera, and also I was actually looking south coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to possess a strange blossom to it at the base of the column that was actually streaming south of the area. After checking out among the newspaper article our experts just acquired, I feel our experts were actually examining NY around the time of, or even not long after, the failure of the second high rise. Just how awful ...I swept the electronic camera during the East Shore to the south to find if I can observe every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, but nothing showed up.It was pretty hard to consider work after that, though our team possessed some to carry out, however on the next orbit our company moved across the US additional south. All three people were actually functioning 1 or 2 video cameras to attempt to obtain sights of The big apple or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, however no specific resource may be observed. Everything appeared astonishing coming from two to three hundred miles away. I can not picture the tragic scenes on the ground.Other than the mental influence of our nation being actually attacked and also hundreds of our residents and also perhaps some buddies being actually gotten rid of, the absolute most mind-boggling sensation being actually where I am actually is just one of solitude.Next time ... I suppose the tiredness and psychological strain got the very best of me. I could not stay awake and remain to create. Today was still complicated, however our team started getting even more info, plus our experts had the honor of chatting straight along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, who assured our company that the ground groups will remain to operate and ensure our safety and security, along with the safe function of the Station. Our company additionally learnt through our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the companions in the Program are actually all completely committed to proceeding safe procedures and support. These were actually certainly never concerns for me. I understand all these folks! The ground crews have actually been astonishingly helpful, quite understanding of the influence of the updates, and have tried to be as useful as achievable. They have actually all been actually really specialist and focused though I can not picture the interruption of the type of information coming in and also the notion that federal government buildings might be vulnerable. They certainly never missed a beat, also when relocating nerve center. And a team of elderly personnel and good friends offered our company a rather comprehensive briefing on what was actually known and what was actually being actually done in the government and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually very handy and also kind of all of them to accomplish in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been encouraging and also beneficial, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our personal possessions were actually inoperable, as well as pointing out kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually wonderful, as well. They understand it is actually been a difficult day for me and also the folks on the ground, as well as they have actually made an effort to become as also keeled and helpful as possible. Michael even fixed me my preferred Borscht soup for supper. And also they give me lots of area to think when I required it. They are incredibly sympathetic and also certainly outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize a lot of people in Washington, many people that take a trip to DC as well as NYC, many who are pilots, that I really felt certain I would obtain at least a couple of items of trouble over the next few times. I acquired the first one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that struck the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I found Chic during plebe summer months when our team remained in the D&B with each other, and also our team possessed bunches of courses all together. I can't envision what he has to of experienced, and currently I hear that he might possess risen further than our team can easily also think about through possibly avoiding his aircraft coming from being actually the one to attack the White House. What a terrible reduction, yet I make sure Chic was actually combating bravely to the end. And rips do not move the very same in space ...It is actually complicated to define just how it experiences to become the only United States completely off the planet each time including this. The emotion that I should exist along with every one of you, taking care of this, assisting somehow, is difficult. I understand that our company are on the threshold (or beyond) of a dreadful change in the history of the globe. Several points are going to certainly never coincide again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not simply for the manies thousand and 1000s of individuals directly affected through these ghastly acts of terrorism, however probably for we all. Our experts will certainly discover ourselves really feeling differently about lots of points, featuring probably room expedition, however.It's unpleasant to observe smoke cigarettes pouring coming from injuries in your personal nation coming from such an excellent point of view. The dichotomy of getting on a space probe committed to improving daily life on the planet and checking out lifestyle being actually ruined through such premeditated, awful process is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are actually. And the understanding that every little thing will certainly be different than when we launched due to the time our experts land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country as well as in our leadership that our team will carry out whatever achievable to far better guard her and also our loved ones, and to bring fair treatment of what has actually been performed. I possess confidence that the excellent folks at NASA will certainly perform whatever necessary to proceed our mission safely and securely and also return us properly at the correct time. As well as I miss each one of you quite. I can not exist with you in person, and our experts have a long way to head to accomplish our objective, yet be certain that my heart is actually with you, as well as know you reside in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the last letter ... Fortunately, it is actually been an occupied week up right here. And to verify that, like our nation, we are continuing our desired path along with organization as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most recent add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Area will definitely be actually introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States time), it will dock along with our team, at a slot certainly never made use of just before on the nadir side of the Company Element. This new element will definitely provide us yet another place to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also will offer a big airlock along with pair of useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which we will definitely carry out a few of just before our company return.The complication just before in handling recently was actually too little headlines. The complication right now is actually way too much. It came simultaneously when e-mail was actually rejuvenated, and there is actually insufficient time to review it all! Plus it is actually as well challenging to handle all of it immediately. Yet I cherish receiving it, and also I definitely enjoy the terrific characters of support as well as friendly relationship I am actually obtaining.Our company are prospering on board, receiving our work done, and also referring to points. Last evening our team had a lengthy discussion over supper regarding the value of these events, the achievable actions to observe, and what ought to be done. After supper, Michael resolved informing me that every e-mail he acquired coming from buddies in Russia mentioned particularly to tell me exactly how sorry they were that this taken place, stretching their acknowledgements, and inquiring just how I was doing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian word for "condolences" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar City. (Both the Russian as well as the English phrases are a lot extremely long to verbalize easily.) Really kind people.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to send live shows of radio news regarding the occasion as well as connected tales, to be sure I was actually well informed. Every specialist that has actually begun the line to discuss a procedure or even a trouble contends some point prolonged greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that because of the big day of recognition in the United States, throughout the day folks had been actually delivering blooms as well as edging all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, as well as this evening they were igniting candlesticks in the road outside the embassy. How the planet has actually altered.Individuals almost everywhere appear to recognize the senselessness as well as horror in this particular assault. As well as the remarkable loss. Moscow has handled these sort of issues in the final couple of years with apartment or condo as well as train battles, so they are as restless to remove this hazard as our experts are. However all-time low series is actually that there are actually good folks all over that want to stay in calmness. I go through that a child asked, "United States is actually so really good to various other countries, our company always aid everyone, just how can they detest our company so much?".I really hope the example of teamwork as well as depend on that this space capsule and all the people in the course display daily are going to at some point motivate the remainder of the world to operate the same way. They must!Sadly, we won't be piloting over the US while individuals are lighting candles. Do not know if our team might find that in any case. Our team carried out, however, see an extremely unusual as well as lovely sight a couple of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz booster. We were actually surpassing it and also it came into view about three mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight attacked our terminal, so it was actually still unaware. It seemed like a sizable comet along with a directly, large tail silhouetted against the dark world underneath. Even with some poor illumination for a while as the sun attacked our home window at a low viewpoint, I managed some video of it as first we passed the spacecraft, and afterwards watched it begin to mesmerize as it got altitude and speed. I recorded up until primary engine cutoff and also booster splitting up developed equally as our company moved toward sunrise on the Himalayas. An extraordinary attraction in an unforgettable full week ...Life goes on, also precede. Our team are actually right here to keep ... Frank.