.Editor's Keep in mind: The complying with is actually the message of a letter from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), reassessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written significantly regarding specifics of the objective during the month I have actually been here, generally for two causes: the first being that there has actually been actually extremely little bit of opportunity to accomplish that type of creating, and secondly considering that I'm not exactly sure just how relaxed I am sharing ideas I share with family and friends along with the rest of the world.Well, undoubtedly the world altered today. What I claim or perform is actually very slight matched up to the importance of what took place to our country today when it was assaulted through ... by whom? Terrorists is actually all we know, I reckon. Challenging to know at whom to point our anger and fear ...I had actually merely completed a lot of tasks this morning, the best taxing being the physical examinations of all staff members. In a private conversation complying with that, the flight doctor informed me they were possessing a really poor day on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He described the scenario to me as best he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, at that point frightened. My first notion was that this wasn't a real conversation, that I was still listening to among my Tom Clancy strips. It merely didn't seem to be possible on this incrustation in our country. I could not even think of the details, even before the updates of further damage began can be found in.Vladimir came over quite quickly, noticing that one thing really severe was actually being explained. I swung Michael into the component at the same time. They were additionally surprised as well as stunned. After we signed off, I made an effort to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as ideal I could the possible magnitude of the show of horror in midtown New york as well as at the Pentagon. They precisely comprehended and were extremely supportive.I browsed the World Map on the personal computer to observe where over the planet our company were actually and also noticed that we were happening southeast out of Canada and also would be actually passing over New England in a handful of moments. I zipped around the terminal till I located a home window that would certainly provide me a view of New York City as well as ordered the local electronic camera. It occurred to be a video camera, and I was appearing south coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke appeared to have a strange bloom to it at the base of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After going through one of the newspaper article our company just received, I feel our company were taking a look at NY around the amount of time of, or even soon after, the crash of the second tower. Exactly how horrible ...I scanned the electronic camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to find if I could possibly view any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing at all showed up.It was actually rather hard to deal with work after that, though our company possessed some to accomplish, but on the following track we crossed the United States more south. All 3 of us were functioning a couple of video cameras to make an effort to get viewpoints of The big apple or Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, but no certain source could be found. All of it looked awesome from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can't imagine the awful settings on the ground.Aside from the psychological effect of our country being dealt with as well as 1000s of our citizens and also possibly some friends being actually eliminated, one of the most overwhelming sensation being actually where I am is just one of seclusion.Following time ... I guess the exhaustion and emotional tension got the most ideal of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as remain to write. Today was still difficult, yet our team began getting even more info, plus we possessed the respect of talking directly along with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, who assured us that the ground crews will remain to operate and guarantee our safety, in addition to the safe operation of the Station. Our experts also learnt through our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the partners in the Program are all absolutely dedicated to carrying on risk-free operations and also assistance. These were actually certainly never inquiries for me. I understand all these people! The ground staffs have been actually extremely helpful, incredibly understanding of the impact of the information, as well as have tried to become as valuable as achievable. They have actually all been incredibly qualified and centered though I can not envision the interruption of the sort of updates being available in and the notion that government structures might be in danger. They certainly never missed a beat, also when transferring control centers. And a group of senior workers and also close friends gave our team a rather comprehensive instruction on what was actually understood as well as what was being carried out in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was extremely handy as well as sort of all of them to accomplish in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been helpful as well as useful, making an effort to uplink news articles when our very own possessions were unusable, and mentioning kind words ...My crewmates have actually been excellent, as well. They recognize it is actually been actually a tough day for me and also the individuals on the ground, and also they have actually attempted to become as also keeled and helpful as possible. Michael even repaired me my favored Borscht soup for supper. And also they offer me lots of space to presume when I required it. They are actually very compassionate and obviously shocked at whoever would perform this.I know so many individuals in Washington, plenty of individuals that travel to DC as well as NYC, many who are actually pilots, that I experienced certain I will receive at least a couple of pieces of problem over the next few times. I acquired the first one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that struck the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic during the course of cadet summertime when we resided in the D&B all together, as well as our team had tons of training class all together. I can't picture what he must of looked at, and also right now I listen to that he might have increased even further than our team can even think of by perhaps avoiding his aircraft from being the one to attack the White Property. What a dreadful reduction, yet I ensure Chic was combating fearlessly to the end. And splits don't stream the very same in space ...It's difficult to describe just how it feels to become the only United States entirely off the earth at once like this. The sensation that I need to exist along with every one of you, taking care of this, assisting in some way, is overwhelming. I recognize that our company perform the limit (or past) of a horrendous change in the record of the globe. Numerous things will certainly never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the thousands as well as lots of folks straight affected through these hideous process of violence, however perhaps for everybody. We will discover ourselves feeling differently regarding loads of things, featuring perhaps space exploration, unfortunately.It's awful to view smoke putting from injuries in your very own country from such a superb vantage point. The dichotomy of performing a space capsule committed to improving live on the earth as well as checking out lifestyle being destroyed through such conscious, awful actions is actually jolting to the mind, despite who you are. As well as the knowledge that every little thing will certainly be various than when our team released by the opportunity we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our leadership that our experts are going to perform whatever possible to much better shield her and our families, and to carry compensation of what has actually been done. I possess self-confidence that the excellent individuals at NASA will perform every thing needed to proceed our mission carefully and also return our team properly at the right time. And also I overlook every one of you significantly. I can not be there along with you personally, as well as our experts possess a very long way to go to accomplish our goal, yet be actually particular that my soul is actually along with you, as well as understand you reside in my petitions.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... Thankfully, it is actually been an occupied week up below. As well as to confirm that, like our nation, we are actually continuing our planned road along with business customarily (as long as feasible). Tonight the current addition to the place, the Russian Docking Area will be actually introduced coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a slot never ever used prior to on the low point edge of the Company Component. This brand new component will provide our company an additional spot to dock a Development or even Soyuz and also are going to offer a big airlock along with pair of useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our team will certainly perform a few of prior to we come home.The complication before in taking care of recently was actually insufficient headlines. The issue right now is excessive. It arrived simultaneously when e-mail was actually restored, and also there is actually inadequate opportunity to read everything! Plus it is actually too difficult to cope with all of it simultaneously. Yet I value obtaining it, and also I really value the excellent characters of assistance and also friendly relationship I am actually acquiring.Our company are succeeding aboard, receiving our job done, as well as referring to traits. Last evening our experts had a lengthy discussion over supper about the significance of these occasions, the achievable activities to adhere to, and what should be actually done. After supper, Michael resolved informing me that every email he obtained coming from pals in Russia claimed especially to inform me just how regretful they were that this occurred, expanding their acknowledgements, and talking to how I was carrying out. Vladimir showed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and also the English terms are much extremely lengthy to articulate simply.) Really type individuals.For the last 2 times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transmit online shows of broadcast headlines concerning the celebration and affiliated accounts, to ensure I was properly informed. Every specialist who has actually begun the line to go over an operation or an issue has at some factor prolonged hellos to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that because of the big day of remembrance in the United States, all the time people had actually been delivering florals and also edging all the wall surfaces of the US embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were igniting candles in the road outside the embassy. Exactly how the planet has actually changed.Individuals just about everywhere seem to be to realize the senselessness and also terror in this attack. And also the incredible loss. Moscow has actually taken care of these kind of complications in the last couple of years along with flat and train battles, so they are actually as nervous to do away with this risk as our company are actually. But all-time low product line is that there are good people anywhere that would like to reside in tranquility. I check out that a little one talked to, "The United States is thus great to various other countries, our team always aid every person, how can they dislike our team a great deal?".I hope the instance of collaboration as well as trust that this space probe plus all individuals in the plan display daily will one day encourage the rest of the globe to operate similarly. They must!Sadly, our team won't be flighting over the US while people are actually lighting candle lights. Do not recognize if our experts can view that anyhow. Our team performed, having said that, observe an incredibly unique and lovely attraction a handful of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were surpassing it and also it appeared concerning 3 minutes after its launch from Baikonur as the sun struck our station, so it was still unaware. It seemed like a sizable comet along with a straight, large tail silhouetted versus the black world under. In spite of some bad lighting for a while as the sunlight hit our home window at a reduced position, I managed some online video of it as initially our experts passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it begin to mesmerize as it obtained elevation and rate. I shot until primary motor deadline as well as enhancer splitting up occurred just as our company moved toward sunup on the Himalayas. A memorable view in an unforgettable full week ...Life goes on, also precede. Our experts are actually listed below to keep ... Frank.