.Editor's Note: The following is the message of a letter coming from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reviewing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created significantly regarding specifics of this particular purpose in the course of the month I have actually been actually below, mainly for pair of causes: the very first being actually that there has been actually quite little opportunity to carry out that kind of composing, as well as secondly considering that I'm not sure just how comfortable I am discussing thought and feelings I share with family and friends along with the remainder of the planet.Well, definitely the globe changed today. What I state or perform is very slight contrasted to the importance of what occurred to our nation today when it was assaulted by ... through whom? Terrorists is all we know, I suspect. Difficult to know at whom to point our rage and worry ...I had actually simply ended up an amount of tasks today, one of the most time-consuming being actually the physical exams of all staff participants. In an exclusive discussion complying with that, the tour specialist told me they were possessing a very negative time on the ground. I possessed no idea ...He defined the circumstance to me as best he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, after that horrified. My 1st thought was that this wasn't a real conversation, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only really did not seem achievable on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't even imagine the details, also before the updates of additional devastation began coming in.Vladimir came by pretty swiftly, noticing that one thing incredibly severe was actually being actually reviewed. I swung Michael in to the element also. They were actually also blown away as well as stunned. After our company authorized off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as greatest I might the possible size of the show of terror in midtown New york as well as at the Government. They precisely recognized and also were actually quite supportive.I glanced at the Planet Chart on the computer system to view where over the world we were and observed that our experts were actually happening southeast out of Canada as well as would certainly be overlooking New England in a handful of moments. I zipped around the station till I discovered a home window that would certainly give me a scenery of NYC as well as took hold of the nearest video camera. It happened to be a video camera, as well as I was actually looking southern from the home window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to possess a weird blossom to it at the bottom of the column that was streaming south of the metropolitan area. After reviewing among the news articles our experts merely acquired, I think our experts were actually looking at NY around the amount of time of, or soon after, the collapse of the second high rise. Just how unpleasant ...I scanned the camera all along the East Shore to the south to see if I could observe any other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, but nothing showed up.It was actually pretty complicated to think about job afterwards, though our team had some to perform, but on the following track our company moved across the United States more southern. All three of us were actually operating 1 or 2 electronic cameras to attempt to acquire views of Nyc or even Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no details source might be observed. All of it looked awesome from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can't imagine the awful scenes on the ground.Aside from the emotional impact of our nation being attacked as well as lots of our citizens as well as possibly some friends being eliminated, the most mind-boggling feeling being actually where I am actually is among isolation.Next day ... I suspect the exhaustion and psychological pressure obtained the best of me. I couldn't remain awake and remain to create. Today was actually still challenging, yet our company began receiving additional information, plus our experts possessed the respect of chatting directly along with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who assured our company that the ground crews would remain to work as well as guarantee our safety and security, along with the risk-free procedure of the Station. We additionally heard from our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who added that the partners in the Plan are actually all completely committed to carrying on safe functions and help. These were never ever concerns for me. I know all these folks! The ground teams have actually been unbelievably supporting, incredibly understanding of the impact of the headlines, and also have tried to be as valuable as feasible. They have all been actually really specialist and focused though I can't visualize the distraction of this particular form of news coming in and also the thought and feelings that government properties may be at risk. They never missed a beat, also when moving nerve center. And also a group of elderly staffs and also friends offered us a rather thorough instruction about what was recognized and what was actually being carried out in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually really useful and also type of all of them to do in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually likewise been encouraging as well as handy, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our personal resources were actually inoperable, and mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have been actually wonderful, too. They understand it's been a challenging day for me and the individuals on the ground, and they've made an effort to be as also keeled and useful as feasible. Michael even fixed me my favored Borscht soup for supper. And they give me loads of room to presume when I required it. They are actually quite understanding as well as of course outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize so many people in Washington, plenty of individuals who travel to DC and NYC, so many that are actually aviators, that I felt certain I would certainly receive a minimum of a couple of parts of problem over the upcoming couple of days. I obtained the 1st one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that struck the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic throughout plebe summer months when we remained in the D&B together, and our team possessed bunches of training class all together. I can not picture what he needs to of experienced, and now I hear that he may possess climbed even more than our company can easily even think about through perhaps avoiding his aircraft from being the one to deal with the White Home. What a horrible loss, yet I make certain Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. As well as rips don't flow the very same in space ...It's complicated to describe how it really feels to become the only American totally off the world each time such as this. The feeling that I need to exist with all of you, managing this, assisting somehow, is actually overwhelming. I recognize that our team are on the limit (or even past) of a horrendous change in the past of the world. A lot of factors will definitely certainly never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not only for the manies thousand and also 1000s of individuals straight impacted through these hideous process of terrorism, but perhaps for all of us. Our company will definitely locate ourselves feeling in a different way about lots of points, including possibly area exploration, however.It's unpleasant to view smoke pouring coming from wounds in your personal nation from such an excellent vantage point. The duality of performing a spacecraft devoted to enhancing life on the planet as well as seeing lifestyle being actually destroyed through such premeditated, awful actions is jolting to the mind, despite that you are. And the know-how that everything will certainly be actually different than when our company released due to the opportunity our team land is a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation and in our leadership that our experts will certainly perform whatever possible to much better defend her and also our households, as well as to bring justice of what has actually been carried out. I have confidence that the excellent folks at NASA are going to perform whatever essential to continue our goal safely and securely and also return our company safely and securely at the correct time. And I miss every one of you quite. I can't be there along with you face to face, and our experts have a very long way to head to finish our objective, but be actually certain that my heart is with you, and know you are in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final letter ... Luckily, it is actually been actually an active full week up listed here. And also to confirm that, like our nation, our company are continuing on our intended path along with company as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most up to date addition to the place, the Russian Docking Area will definitely be actually launched coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (US opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a port never ever utilized before on the low point side of the Service Element. This brand-new module will certainly offer our company an additional spot to dock a Progression or Soyuz and will certainly give a huge airlock along with two able to be used hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan suits, which our experts will definitely carry out a few of before our experts get back.The problem prior to in handling this week was actually inadequate news. The issue right now is a lot of. It came all at once when e-mail was actually repaired, as well as there is actually not nearly enough time to review all of it! Plus it's as well challenging to take care of all of it at the same time. However I cherish getting it, and also I definitely appreciate the fantastic characters of support and companionship I am actually receiving.Our experts are actually prospering on board, obtaining our job performed, and also referring to points. Final evening we possessed a lengthy dialogue over supper regarding the value of these celebrations, the feasible actions to adhere to, and also what should be actually carried out. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every email he acquired coming from buddies in Russia claimed primarily to inform me just how regretful they were that this taken place, prolonging their condolences, and also asking just how I was doing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are actually considerably very long to articulate effortlessly.) Quite kind folks.For the final 2 times, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to broadcast online programs of broadcast headlines concerning the celebration as well as linked accounts, to be sure I was effectively updated. Every professional that has come on the line to talk about a technique or even a complication has at some point stretched greetings to me along with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that due to the wedding day of recognition in the US, throughout the day folks had been actually carrying blooms and edging all the wall structures of the US consulate in Moscow, and also this night they were igniting candles in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the world has actually altered.Folks all over appear to acknowledge the senselessness as well as horror in this attack. And the remarkable reduction. Moscow has managed these sort of troubles in the final handful of years with apartment or condo as well as train battles, so they are actually as troubled to eliminate this danger as we are actually. Yet the bottom line is that there are good individuals just about everywhere who would like to live in tranquility. I check out that a kid talked to, "The United States is so good to various other countries, our company consistently aid everybody, just how can they despise us so much?".I really hope the instance of participation and also count on that this space probe and all people in the program show daily will someday influence the remainder of the planet to operate the same way. They must!However, our company will not be taking flight over the US during the time people are igniting candle lights. Don't know if we might see that anyhow. Our team carried out, however, view an incredibly unusual and stunning attraction a couple of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually eclipsing it and also it emerged regarding three moments after its own launch from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our terminal, so it was actually still unaware. It appeared like a big comet with a right, large rear silhouetted against the black world underneath. Even with some poor lighting for a while as the sun struck our window at a reduced angle, I took care of some video recording of it as to begin with we passed the rocket, and after that enjoyed it start to catch up as it acquired elevation and also rate. I filmed until principal engine cutoff as well as booster splitting up took place equally our company moved toward daybreak on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable sight in a memorable week ...Lifestyle goes on, also precede. Our company're here to remain ... Frank.