.Editor's Keep in mind: The observing is actually the text message of a letter from Expedition Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), assessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written quite about specifics of this particular mission in the course of the month I have actually been listed below, mainly for two explanations: the initial being that there has actually been actually really little opportunity to accomplish that sort of writing, and also also because I am actually uncertain just how comfy I am sharing ideas I share with family and friends along with the remainder of the planet.Well, obviously the planet altered today. What I state or even perform is really minor reviewed to the significance of what occurred to our country today when it was assaulted through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is all we know, I guess. Challenging to recognize at whom to route our rage and worry ...I had actually just finished a variety of duties today, the most time-consuming being actually the physical examinations of all team members. In a private talk complying with that, the trip cosmetic surgeon told me they were possessing a very poor day on the ground. I possessed no suggestion ...He described the situation to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually made speechless, after that horrified. My 1st idea was that this had not been a real talk, that I was actually still listening closely to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It simply really did not seem achievable on this scale in our country. I couldn't even envision the details, even before the headlines of additional devastation began can be found in.Vladimir came by pretty promptly, noticing that one thing quite severe was being discussed. I waved Michael in to the component too. They were actually also astounded as well as stunned. After we signed off, I tried to detail to Vladimir and Michael as best I could the possible size of the act of fear in downtown New york as well as at the Government. They clearly comprehended as well as were actually extremely considerate.I glanced at the World Chart on the computer to see where over the world we were actually and saw that our experts were actually coming southeast away from Canada as well as would be actually overlooking New England in a few moments. I zipped around the terminal up until I discovered a home window that will give me a sight of NYC and also got hold of the local electronic camera. It happened to be a camera, and also I was actually appearing southern from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke appeared to possess an odd flower to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the area. After reading one of the news articles we simply acquired, I believe our company were actually checking out NY around the moment of, or soon after, the failure of the 2nd high rise. Exactly how awful ...I panned the cam the whole time the East Coast to the south to see if I could possibly view any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing showed up.It was pretty tough to consider job afterwards, though our experts had some to accomplish, however on the following track our company crossed the United States more southern. All 3 people were actually functioning one or two cams to make an effort to acquire perspectives of The big apple or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, however no specific source might be observed. Everything appeared astonishing coming from a couple of hundred miles away. I can't picture the unfortunate settings on the ground.Other than the emotional effect of our country being attacked and thousands of our consumers and maybe some buddies being eliminated, the best difficult emotion being actually where I am is just one of isolation.Following day ... I think the exhaustion and also mental tension received the very best of me. I couldn't remain awake as well as remain to write. Today was still challenging, yet our experts began receiving additional relevant information, plus we had the honor of talking straight along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, who ensured our company that the ground groups would certainly remain to operate and guarantee our safety, as well as the safe operation of the Place. Our team likewise heard from our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that added that the companions in the Plan are all completely committed to continuing secure procedures as well as assistance. These were actually certainly never concerns for me. I recognize all these folks! The ground teams have been unbelievably supportive, incredibly understanding of the effect of the headlines, and have actually attempted to be as helpful as achievable. They have all been actually really qualified and also focused though I can't think of the distraction of the form of headlines coming in as well as the notion that government buildings might be at risk. They certainly never bypassed a beat, also when moving control centers. And a team of elderly staffs and also good friends gave our team a quite complete instruction about what was understood as well as what was actually being performed in the authorities and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was really handy and sort of them to carry out in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually also been supporting as well as handy, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our very own possessions were inoperable, and also stating kind words ...My crewmates have been actually great, as well. They know it's been a challenging time for me and also the individuals on the ground, and also they have actually attempted to become as even keeled and valuable as possible. Michael also repaired me my preferred Borscht soup for dinner. And they provide me a lot of space to assume when I needed it. They are incredibly compassionate and also of course outraged at whoever will perform this.I know many folks in Washington, a lot of people that take a trip to DC and NYC, many who are actually captains, that I felt sure I would certainly obtain a minimum of a couple of pieces of trouble over the upcoming couple of days. I got the very first one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that reached the Government was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I met Chic in the course of cadet summer when our company were in the D&B together, and our experts possessed tons of training class with each other. I can't imagine what he should of gone through, and now I hear that he may possess risen even further than we may also think of through possibly preventing his aircraft coming from being the one to deal with the White House. What a horrible loss, but I make sure Chic was actually dealing with bravely throughout. As well as tears don't circulate the very same in space ...It's tough to illustrate exactly how it experiences to be the only American entirely off the world at once such as this. The emotion that I ought to be there with each one of you, coping with this, helping in some way, is actually difficult. I understand that our team get on the threshold (or beyond) of a terrible shift in the past history of the world. Numerous things will never ever coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not only for the manies thousand as well as 1000s of individuals directly had an effect on through these horrendous actions of terrorism, however perhaps for all of us. We are going to find our own selves experiencing differently concerning dozens of traits, including probably area exploration, regrettably.It's unpleasant to observe smoke putting coming from injuries in your own nation coming from such an awesome vantage point. The duality of being on a space probe devoted to enhancing everyday life on the planet and also checking out lifestyle being actually ruined by such conscious, dreadful process is actually jolting to the psyche, no matter that you are. And the know-how that everything will definitely be actually various than when our company launched due to the opportunity our team land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our leadership that our team will certainly carry out whatever feasible to better shield her and also our family members, and to deliver fair treatment for what has been carried out. I have confidence that the good people at NASA will definitely perform every little thing required to continue our mission carefully and return our team carefully at the correct time. And I miss out on every one of you quite. I can not exist along with you personally, as well as our company have a very long way to go to accomplish our goal, but be particular that my center is actually along with you, and understand you are in my petitions.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final letter ... Fortunately, it is actually been an active week up right here. And also to verify that, like our nation, our team are continuing on our designated course with organization customarily (as much as possible). Tonight the most recent add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will definitely be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock along with us, at a slot certainly never made use of just before on the low point side of the Solution Module. This new module will provide us an additional place to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and will definitely provide a large airlock along with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our team will perform a few of prior to our experts get home.The problem before in dealing with this week was actually insufficient information. The trouble today is too much. It came all at once when e-mail was repaired, and there is actually not nearly enough time to read everything! Plus it is actually too hard to take care of all of it instantly. But I cherish getting it, and I really value the fantastic letters of assistance and friendly relationship I am obtaining.Our experts are actually doing well on board, getting our job performed, as well as speaking about points. Final evening our experts had a lengthy discussion over dinner concerning the importance of these events, the feasible activities to adhere to, and what need to be actually carried out. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every email he acquired from close friends in Russia said particularly to tell me how regretful they were that this occurred, stretching their condolences, and asking exactly how I was carrying out. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English phrases are actually a lot extremely long to verbalize effortlessly.) Quite types individuals.For the final two days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to broadcast real-time shows of radio news regarding the occasion and affiliated stories, to be sure I was actually well updated. Every professional who has actually come on free throw line to review a procedure or an issue contends some point expanded hellos to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the wedding day of recognition in the US, all day folks had been bringing florals as well as lining all the walls of the US consulate in Moscow, and this night they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the consular office. Just how the world has changed.Individuals almost everywhere appear to recognize the senselessness and also scary in this strike. And also the significant loss. Moscow has taken care of these sort of concerns in the final couple of years along with house as well as subway battles, so they are as restless to get rid of this risk as our company are actually. But the bottom product line is that there are actually excellent people anywhere that would like to reside in tranquility. I go through that a little one asked, "United States is actually so excellent to various other countries, our company consistently help everybody, how can they loathe our company a lot?".I hope the instance of cooperation as well as trust fund that this space capsule and all people in the system illustrate daily are going to at some point inspire the remainder of the globe to operate the same way. They must!Regrettably, our company won't be flighting over the United States during the time folks are actually lighting candles. Don't understand if our team can find that in any case. We performed, however, find a very unusual and attractive sight a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our experts were eclipsing it and also it appeared concerning three moments after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our station, so it was still in the dark. It appeared like a huge comet with a directly, broad tail silhouetted against the darker world below. Despite some bad lights for a while as the sunlight hit our window at a low perspective, I managed some online video of it as first our experts passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it start to mesmerize as it acquired elevation and rate. I recorded till main engine deadline and booster separation occurred equally as we approached sunup on the Himalayas. A memorable view in an unforgettable full week ...Lifestyle takes place, even precede. Our company're listed here to remain ... Frank.