.Editor's Details: The following is the text message of a letter coming from Expedition Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reflecting on the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written very much concerning specifics of this particular mission throughout the month I've been actually below, generally for two main reasons: the initial being that there has actually been extremely little bit of time to carry out that kind of creating, and secondly given that I'm not sure just how relaxed I am actually discussing ideas I show friends and family along with the remainder of the globe.Effectively, clearly the world transformed today. What I claim or perform is actually extremely slight reviewed to the implication of what happened to our nation today when it was assaulted by ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we know, I guess. Difficult to know at whom to guide our temper as well as concern ...I had actually only completed a number of duties today, one of the most time-consuming being the physical exams of all staff members. In a personal conversation complying with that, the flight surgeon informed me they were possessing a really poor time on the ground. I possessed no suggestion ...He defined the condition to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually flabbergasted, then alarmed. My initial notion was that this wasn't a real discussion, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just didn't seem to be possible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't also imagine the particulars, also just before the headlines of more damage began coming in.Vladimir came fairly promptly, sensing that one thing incredibly serious was actually being discussed. I swung Michael right into the component too. They were also impressed as well as stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as ideal I could possibly the possible measurement of the act of horror in midtown New york and also at the Pentagon. They accurately knew as well as were actually very compassionate.I glanced at the World Map on the computer to view where over the planet our team were actually and also discovered that we were happening southeast out of Canada as well as would certainly be passing over New England in a handful of moments. I zipped around the station until I located a window that would certainly offer me a view of New York City and ordered the closest camera. It happened to be a camera, and also I was appearing southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to have a strange bloom to it at the base of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the city. After reviewing one of the newspaper article our experts merely received, I feel our team were actually looking at NY around the amount of time of, or even quickly after, the failure of the second tower. Just how terrible ...I swept the electronic camera all along the East Shore to the south to view if I could view any other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually quite difficult to consider job after that, though we possessed some to perform, yet on the next track our company moved across the United States more southern. All 3 people were actually operating one or two video cameras to attempt to acquire perspectives of New York or Washington. There was fog over Washington, yet no particular source might be found. All of it looked fabulous from a couple of hundred miles away. I can't think of the awful settings on the ground.Besides the emotional impact of our country being attacked as well as lots of our citizens as well as maybe some good friends being eliminated, the best mind-boggling emotion being where I am is just one of seclusion.Following day ... I suppose the tiredness and psychological pressure acquired the best of me. I couldn't remain awake as well as continue to write. Today was still hard, however our company started getting more details, plus our experts possessed the honor of chatting directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that ensured our team that the ground teams would certainly remain to work as well as guarantee our security, along with the secure function of the Place. Our team additionally spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the companions in the Program are actually all completely committed to carrying on safe procedures and support. These were never ever inquiries for me. I understand all these people! The ground teams have actually been exceptionally supporting, very understanding of the impact of the news, and also have tried to become as practical as achievable. They have actually all been quite qualified and concentrated though I can't visualize the disturbance of the kind of headlines being available in and also the idea that authorities properties could be at risk. They never ever bypassed a beat, also when relocating nerve center. As well as a team of senior employees and also close friends offered our company a quite extensive briefing about what was known and what was actually being actually done in the authorities and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was really beneficial as well as type of them to do in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been actually supporting and valuable, attempting to uplink news articles when our personal properties were actually inoperable, and also mentioning kind phrases ...My crewmates have been fantastic, too. They know it's been a challenging time for me and also the folks on the ground, and also they've made an effort to become as also keeled as well as useful as possible. Michael even corrected me my favored Borscht soup for supper. And also they provide me loads of area to think when I required it. They are actually incredibly thoughtful as well as of course shocked at whoever will do this.I recognize plenty of people in Washington, so many folks that journey to DC as well as NYC, so many who are aviators, that I felt certain I would certainly receive at least a couple of pieces of bad news over the next few days. I got the initial one today when I found out that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I met Chic throughout plebe summer season when our company resided in the D&B all together, and also we had bunches of courses with each other. I can't envision what he has to of looked at, and also currently I hear that he may possess risen additionally than our experts may even consider by possibly stopping his aircraft from being the one to attack the White Home. What an awful reduction, but I'm sure Chic was combating fearlessly throughout. As well as rips don't flow the exact same precede ...It's complicated to illustrate just how it really feels to become the only United States totally off the world at once like this. The emotion that I ought to exist with all of you, taking care of this, aiding somehow, is overwhelming. I recognize that our experts are on the limit (or even past) of a terrible switch in the past history of the world. Lots of traits will certainly never coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands and lots of folks straight impacted by these horrible process of terrorism, yet perhaps for everyone. Our team will certainly find ourselves feeling in a different way concerning lots of traits, consisting of probably area exploration, regrettably.It is actually horrible to observe smoke pouring from cuts in your own nation from such an awesome perspective. The duality of being on a space probe devoted to enhancing live on the planet as well as checking out life being actually ruined by such willful, terrible process is jolting to the psyche, regardless of that you are. And the understanding that whatever will be actually different than when our experts launched due to the time our company land is actually a little disconcerting. I believe in our country as well as in our management that we will carry out every little thing feasible to better defend her and also our loved ones, and also to deliver compensation of what has been performed. I possess confidence that the great people at NASA will do everything essential to continue our goal carefully as well as return us carefully at the right time. As well as I overlook each of you significantly. I can't exist with you personally, and our company possess a very long way to go to finish our purpose, but be actually certain that my heart is with you, as well as know you remain in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... Fortunately, it's been actually an occupied week up here. And also to show that, like our country, we are actually continuing on our intended path along with business as usual (as long as achievable). Tonight the latest addition to the place, the Russian Docking Chamber are going to be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (United States opportunity), it will definitely dock with our company, at a slot never ever made use of prior to on the low point side of the Solution Component. This brand-new element will certainly provide our company one more place to dock a Progress or Soyuz and will definitely supply a sizable airlock with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our team will certainly carry out a few of before our company get back.The complication before in dealing with this week was actually too little headlines. The issue now is actually a lot of. It arrived all at once when email was actually repaired, and also there is actually not enough opportunity to review it all! Plus it's too challenging to deal with all of it at once. Yet I cherish getting it, and I definitely enjoy the terrific characters of support and companionship I am actually receiving.We are doing well on board, getting our work done, and also discussing things. Last evening our company possessed a long discussion over dinner regarding the significance of these activities, the achievable actions to comply with, and also what should be actually performed. After supper, Michael challenged telling me that every email he acquired coming from good friends in Russia said especially to tell me how regretful they were actually that this taken place, extending their condolences, and inquiring how I was actually performing. Vladimir educated me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are actually considerably very long to pronounce quickly.) Incredibly kind individuals.For the final 2 times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to broadcast live shows of radio information regarding the celebration and also associated tales, to make certain I was actually effectively updated. Every specialist who has begun the line to talk about an operation or even a problem has at some point prolonged hellos to me along with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the wedding of recognition in the US, all day people had actually been carrying blossoms as well as lining all the wall structures of the United States embassy in Moscow, as well as this night they were lighting candles in the road outside the embassy. How the planet has actually transformed.Individuals just about everywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness as well as terror within this attack. And the enormous loss. Moscow has actually coped with these type of issues in the final handful of years with condo as well as subway bombings, so they are actually as troubled to remove this threat as we are actually. But all-time low line is actually that there are great individuals almost everywhere who desire to reside in tranquility. I review that a kid talked to, "United States is actually thus great to other nations, our experts always assist everybody, just how can they dislike our company a great deal?".I wish the example of cooperation as well as depend on that this space capsule and all individuals in the program demonstrate daily will at some point inspire the rest of the globe to function the same way. They must!Regrettably, our team will not be piloting over the United States while individuals are actually lighting candles. Do not know if our company can view that anyhow. We performed, however, observe an incredibly unique and gorgeous sight a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our company were surpassing it and it came into view concerning 3 minutes after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sun attacked our station, so it was actually still unaware. It resembled a sizable comet with a straight, wide tail silhouetted versus the black planet beneath. In spite of some bad illumination for some time as the sun hit our window at a reduced angle, I handled some online video of it as to begin with our experts passed the rocket, and after that enjoyed it start to catch up as it acquired elevation and also speed. I shot until primary engine deadline and booster splitting up took place just as we came close to dawn on the Himalayas. A remarkable sight in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle takes place, also in space. Our experts are actually listed below to stay ... Frank.