.Editor's Note: The following is the text of a letter coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reviewing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created very much concerning specifics of the purpose in the course of the month I've been here, primarily for 2 reasons: the first being actually that there has been quite little time to perform that kind of writing, as well as second of all because I am actually not exactly sure just how pleasant I am actually discussing ideas I show to family and friends with the remainder of the world.Properly, definitely the world modified today. What I claim or even do is actually very minor compared to the significance of what took place to our nation today when it was assaulted through ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I suspect. Challenging to know at whom to drive our anger and worry ...I had actually just completed a number of jobs today, one of the most time-consuming being actually the physical exams of all team members. In a private discussion adhering to that, the flight specialist informed me they were actually possessing a very poor time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He described the scenario to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, then horrified. My initial idea was actually that this wasn't an actual discussion, that I was actually still listening to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It just didn't seem to be possible on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't also imagine the particulars, even before the updates of additional destruction began coming in.Vladimir came over pretty quickly, picking up that something very significant was being actually explained. I swung Michael right into the element as well. They were additionally astounded and stunned. After our team signed off, I made an effort to clarify to Vladimir and Michael as best I could possibly the potential immensity of this particular act of terror in midtown New york and also at the Government. They clearly recognized as well as were actually extremely compassionate.I browsed the Globe Chart on the pc to find where over the planet our company were actually and also saw that our company were actually coming southeast away from Canada and would be actually skipping New England in a handful of minutes. I zipped around the terminal up until I found a home window that would give me a scenery of New York City as well as grabbed the local electronic camera. It happened to be a camera, and also I was appearing southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to possess an odd blossom to it at the foundation of the pillar that was streaming south of the urban area. After reviewing some of the newspaper article our team only got, I think our team were examining NY around the amount of time of, or even soon after, the failure of the 2nd high rise. Just how unpleasant ...I panned the video camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to observe if I might see some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, however nothing showed up.It was actually rather tough to think about work after that, though our experts possessed some to do, however on the following orbit our company went across the US additional south. All 3 of us were actually functioning one or two electronic cameras to attempt to acquire views of New York or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no particular resource may be found. It all appeared incredible coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can not visualize the heartbreaking settings on the ground.Other than the psychological influence of our country being tackled as well as countless our citizens and perhaps some pals being actually killed, the most overwhelming feeling being actually where I am is among solitude.Next time ... I think the fatigue as well as emotional pressure acquired the most effective of me. I couldn't stay awake and also continue to compose. Today was still difficult, however we started receiving additional details, plus our team had the honor of chatting straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that assured our company that the ground crews would certainly remain to work and also ensure our safety and security, along with the risk-free operation of the Place. We likewise heard from our Manager, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the companions in the System are actually all totally dedicated to continuing safe functions as well as assistance. These were certainly never questions for me. I recognize all these people! The ground staffs have actually been unbelievably helpful, really understanding of the impact of the information, as well as have tried to be as valuable as achievable. They have all been incredibly expert and also concentrated though I can not visualize the diversion of this type of information coming in and the idea that government structures could be at risk. They never skipped a beat, also when transferring nerve center. And a team of elderly staffs and good friends gave our company a quite complete instruction on what was actually known and what was actually being actually performed in the authorities and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually incredibly beneficial and also sort of them to carry out in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has additionally been supporting and also practical, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our very own possessions were inoperable, and also claiming kind terms ...My crewmates have been fantastic, as well. They know it's been a difficult time for me as well as the folks on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to be as even keeled and also helpful as possible. Michael also corrected me my favored Borscht soup for supper. And also they give me plenty of area to assume when I needed it. They are quite considerate and naturally outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I know so many folks in Washington, numerous people who travel to DC as well as New York City, a lot of that are captains, that I felt certain I would certainly get at the very least a few items of bad news over the upcoming couple of times. I obtained the 1st one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that struck the Government was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic throughout cadet summer when our company remained in the D&B all together, and also we had tons of training class together. I can not envision what he has to of looked at, as well as currently I listen to that he might have risen even more than our team can also think of through perhaps preventing his plane from being actually the one to deal with the White Home. What a horrendous loss, but I ensure Chic was fighting fearlessly to the end. As well as rips do not circulate the same in space ...It's challenging to illustrate how it really feels to be the only American fully off the world each time like this. The sensation that I need to be there with all of you, dealing with this, assisting in some way, is actually difficult. I understand that we get on the threshold (or beyond) of a horrible change in the background of the planet. Several points will never be the same again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the manies thousand and 1000s of individuals directly affected by these ghastly acts of violence, but most likely for all of us. Our experts will discover ourselves experiencing differently regarding loads of factors, including probably room exploration, regrettably.It is actually dreadful to observe smoke putting coming from injuries in your personal country coming from such an awesome perspective. The dichotomy of getting on a space probe committed to enhancing daily life on the planet as well as checking out life being ruined by such planned, terrible process is actually jolting to the mind, no matter who you are actually. And the understanding that everything will certainly be different than when our team introduced by the time our team land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our management that our experts are going to carry out every little thing feasible to much better guard her and also our loved ones, and to carry fair treatment wherefore has actually been done. I possess peace of mind that the really good individuals at NASA will carry out every little thing necessary to proceed our objective securely and also return our company carefully at the right time. And I overlook each of you significantly. I can not be there along with you personally, and also we have a long way to visit finish our goal, but be actually particular that my heart is with you, as well as recognize you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the last character ... The good news is, it is actually been actually an occupied week up here. As well as to verify that, like our country, we are actually advancing our desired pathway with organization as usual (as high as possible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will definitely be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock with us, at a slot never used before on the low point side of the Service Component. This brand new module will provide us one more area to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and also will offer a sizable airlock with 2 able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our team will certainly perform a few of before our team return.The problem before in dealing with today was too little headlines. The complication right now is actually excessive. It came all at once when email was rejuvenated, and also there's not nearly enough time to read everything! Plus it's too difficult to deal with all of it simultaneously. However I cherish obtaining it, as well as I truly cherish the great letters of help and friendly relationship I am obtaining.We are succeeding aboard, acquiring our job performed, and also speaking about points. Last night we possessed a long discussion over supper regarding the value of these celebrations, the possible activities to observe, and also what should be actually performed. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every email he obtained coming from close friends in Russia pointed out exclusively to inform me how sorry they were that this occurred, prolonging their acknowledgements, and also talking to how I was actually performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar City. (Both the Russian and the English terms are actually a lot extremely lengthy to pronounce conveniently.) Really types folks.For the last two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to transmit online shows of radio information regarding the event as well as affiliated tales, to make certain I was actually well updated. Every expert that has actually come on free throw line to explain a method or an issue contends some factor expanded hellos to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our team that as a result of the wedding of recognition in the US, all day people had been actually bringing blossoms and lining all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, and this evening they were igniting candle lights in the road outside the embassy. Exactly how the planet has actually modified.Folks all over appear to identify the senselessness as well as horror within this strike. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has dealt with these kind of issues in the last few years with apartment as well as subway battles, so they are actually as nervous to get rid of this threat as we are actually. But the bottom series is that there are really good people anywhere that wish to stay in tranquility. I read through that a youngster asked, "The United States is actually thus excellent to other nations, our team consistently help everybody, just how can they despise us so much?".I wish the example of participation and also trust fund that this spacecraft plus all individuals in the course display daily are going to sooner or later influence the rest of the globe to work the same way. They must!Regrettably, we won't be taking flight over the US during the time folks are igniting candle lights. Do not recognize if our team could find that anyway. Our experts carried out, nonetheless, view an incredibly uncommon and attractive attraction a handful of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz booster. We were actually eclipsing it and also it emerged concerning 3 mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight reached our terminal, so it was still unaware. It resembled a big comet with a directly, vast rear silhouetted against the darker planet under. In spite of some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sun reached our window at a reduced perspective, I managed some video clip of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and afterwards saw it begin to mesmerize as it got height and velocity. I recorded till principal engine deadline as well as enhancer separation took place just as our team moved toward sunrise on the Himalayas. A memorable attraction in an unforgettable full week ...Lifestyle happens, also precede. Our team are actually right here to remain ... Frank.