.Editor's Details: The following is the text of a letter from Expedition Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), assessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created significantly about specifics of the objective throughout the month I have actually been actually right here, generally for two main reasons: the initial being that there has actually been incredibly little bit of time to perform that kind of composing, and secondly due to the fact that I'm uncertain how relaxed I am discussing thoughts I show friends and family along with the remainder of the globe.Properly, definitely the world changed today. What I state or even do is extremely small reviewed to the implication of what took place to our nation today when it was attacked by ... through whom? Terrorists is all we understand, I think. Challenging to understand at whom to route our anger and also anxiety ...I had actually only completed a number of jobs today, the best lengthy being actually the physical examinations of all workers participants. In a personal discussion observing that, the air travel specialist told me they were having an extremely negative day on the ground. I possessed no idea ...He explained the scenario to me as finest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was thrown for a loop, at that point alarmed. My very first idea was that this wasn't a real talk, that I was still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only failed to seem feasible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't also envision the particulars, even before the headlines of additional devastation started can be found in.Vladimir dropped in quite swiftly, picking up that something really significant was being actually gone over. I swayed Michael in to the component as well. They were additionally surprised and also stunned. After our experts authorized off, I attempted to describe to Vladimir and also Michael as best I could the prospective size of this show of terror in downtown Manhattan and at the Government. They clearly understood as well as were actually really compassionate.I glanced at the World Chart on the computer system to see where over the planet our company were actually and also noticed that we were actually happening southeast away from Canada and also would be passing over New England in a couple of mins. I whized around the station until I discovered a home window that would provide me a perspective of New York City and also grabbed the nearest camera. It happened to be a video camera, as well as I was appearing south from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to be to have an odd bloom to it at the foundation of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the city. After reading among the newspaper article our team only received, I think our company were actually taking a look at NY around the amount of time of, or even not long after, the failure of the second tower. How awful ...I swung the electronic camera all along the East Coast to the south to see if I can see every other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing at all showed up.It was actually fairly hard to deal with work after that, though our experts had some to do, however on the following track our experts traversed the US further south. All three people were actually operating 1 or 2 cams to attempt to acquire sights of New York or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, yet no specific resource might be observed. Everything appeared unbelievable coming from a couple of hundred miles away. I can't picture the tragic scenes on the ground.Apart from the emotional effect of our nation being tackled and also hundreds of our consumers as well as possibly some friends being actually gotten rid of, the absolute most mind-boggling sensation being actually where I am is one of isolation.Upcoming time ... I reckon the tiredness and also emotional strain obtained the very best of me. I couldn't stay awake and continue to compose. Today was actually still challenging, yet our experts started receiving more info, plus our company possessed the tribute of chatting straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who ensured our team that the ground staffs will remain to work and also ensure our security, in addition to the secure operation of the Place. Our team additionally learnt through our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that added that the companions in the Plan are all totally devoted to continuing secure operations as well as help. These were never concerns for me. I recognize all these people! The ground teams have been exceptionally encouraging, incredibly understanding of the effect of the information, and also have tried to become as beneficial as achievable. They have actually all been very qualified and concentrated though I can't imagine the distraction of the kind of updates can be found in as well as the notion that federal government properties might be at risk. They never bypassed a beat, even when relocating control centers. As well as a group of elderly personnel as well as pals provided our company a fairly in depth briefing on what was actually known and what was being actually carried out in the government and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually quite beneficial and sort of them to carry out in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually likewise been actually helpful and handy, trying to uplink newspaper article when our very own assets were inoperable, and also mentioning kind terms ...My crewmates have been terrific, also. They understand it's been actually a hard time for me as well as the individuals on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to be as even keeled and helpful as possible. Michael also fixed me my favored Borscht soup for dinner. And also they offer me a lot of area to think when I required it. They are actually very considerate and also naturally shocked at whoever would do this.I recognize many folks in Washington, many individuals who journey to DC and also New York City, a lot of that are actually captains, that I really felt certain I would get at least a few parts of problem over the following handful of days. I acquired the 1st one today when I knew that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that reached the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic during plebe summer when we remained in the D&B together, and our experts had lots of training class all together. I can't visualize what he has to of gone through, and now I hear that he may possess climbed better than we may even think of by probably avoiding his airplane from being actually the one to attack the White House. What an awful reduction, yet I make certain Chic was actually combating fearlessly to the end. As well as tears don't flow the very same precede ...It is actually challenging to explain just how it really feels to be the only United States totally off the earth at a time including this. The emotion that I need to be there along with every one of you, handling this, assisting in some way, is actually frustrating. I know that we are on the limit (or past) of a dreadful switch in the past of the planet. A lot of traits are going to never coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Not only for the 1000s and also hundreds of folks directly influenced through these hideous process of terrorism, yet most likely for everybody. Our company will find ourselves feeling in different ways regarding loads of things, including probably area exploration, regrettably.It is actually dreadful to see smoke cigarettes pouring coming from cuts in your own country coming from such a fantastic perspective. The dichotomy of performing a space probe committed to improving daily life on the earth and also seeing lifestyle being ruined by such purposeful, horrible acts is jolting to the mind, no matter that you are actually. As well as the knowledge that whatever will definitely be different than when our team introduced by the time our team land is actually a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and also in our leadership that our experts are going to do every thing achievable to far better shield her as well as our loved ones, and to take fair treatment wherefore has actually been carried out. I have peace of mind that the great folks at NASA are going to perform every little thing essential to continue our purpose safely and also return us properly at the right time. And also I miss each one of you quite. I can not exist along with you personally, and our team possess a long way to head to complete our goal, but be particular that my soul is actually with you, and also understand you reside in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last character ... Thankfully, it is actually been actually an active full week up listed below. And to prove that, like our country, we are continuing on our desired path with service customarily (as long as possible). Tonight the most recent enhancement to the place, the Russian Docking Area will certainly be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US opportunity), it will dock with our company, at a port never made use of prior to on the low point edge of the Service Element. This brand new component will certainly provide our team one more spot to dock an Improvement or Soyuz as well as will definitely give a sizable airlock along with two useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which we will certainly perform a few of just before we get back.The trouble just before in taking care of this week was actually inadequate information. The problem today is excessive. It arrived at one time when email was repaired, and there's inadequate opportunity to read it all! Plus it is actually as well tough to take care of all of it instantly. But I cherish acquiring it, and I definitely appreciate the excellent characters of assistance and also companionship I am acquiring.Our company are flourishing on board, receiving our work performed, and talking about traits. Final night our company had a long dialogue over supper regarding the significance of these celebrations, the achievable activities to comply with, and also what must be performed. After supper, Michael made a point of informing me that every e-mail he obtained coming from pals in Russia pointed out exclusively to tell me just how sorry they were that this taken place, extending their acknowledgements, as well as inquiring how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English terms are actually a lot extremely long to articulate conveniently.) Incredibly kind individuals.For the final two days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to transfer real-time shows of radio updates regarding the celebration as well as affiliated stories, to ensure I was well notified. Every professional that has begun the line to explain an operation or even a problem has at some aspect stretched greetings to me with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that due to the wedding of recognition in the United States, all day folks had actually been actually bringing florals and also lining all the wall structures of the United States consulate in Moscow, and this evening they were lighting candle lights in the street outside the embassy. Just how the world has altered.Individuals anywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and terror in this attack. As well as the significant reduction. Moscow has handled these sort of issues in the last few years with flat and metro bombings, so they are actually as nervous to eliminate this hazard as our company are actually. But all-time low collection is actually that there are excellent folks just about everywhere that would like to live in calmness. I read through that a kid talked to, "United States is so great to other countries, our experts regularly assist everyone, how can they dislike us a lot?".I hope the example of cooperation as well as depend on that this space probe and all people in the plan show daily will at some point inspire the rest of the world to function similarly. They must!Unfortunately, we won't be actually flighting over the US during the time people are lighting candlesticks. Do not know if we could observe that anyway. Our team did, nonetheless, find a very unusual and lovely sight a few mins ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually surpassing it and it emerged concerning 3 mins after its own launch from Baikonur as the sunlight hit our station, so it was still at night. It seemed like a big comet with a straight, large rear silhouetted versus the black earth below. Even with some poor lighting fixtures for some time as the sunshine attacked our window at a reduced angle, I managed some online video of it as to begin with our company passed the rocket, and afterwards enjoyed it begin to catch up as it got height as well as velocity. I recorded up until primary engine deadline and booster splitting up developed equally as our experts came close to daybreak on the Mountain ranges. A memorable view in a remarkable week ...Lifestyle goes on, also precede. We are actually right here to keep ... Frank.