.Editor's Keep in mind: The adhering to is actually the message of a letter coming from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reassessing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created very much concerning specifics of the mission during the month I have actually been actually listed below, primarily for two reasons: the first being actually that there has actually been actually quite little bit of time to do that kind of writing, and furthermore, because I am actually not exactly sure just how pleasant I am sharing thoughts I share with friends and family with the rest of the planet.Effectively, definitely the world altered today. What I point out or perform is quite minor contrasted to the implication of what took place to our country today when it was assaulted through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I presume. Hard to recognize at whom to route our rage as well as concern ...I had actually merely ended up an amount of jobs today, the best taxing being actually the physical exams of all crew members. In a personal discussion following that, the trip surgeon told me they were actually having a quite poor day on the ground. I possessed no suggestion ...He illustrated the condition to me as greatest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, then alarmed. My very first idea was actually that this wasn't a genuine talk, that I was actually still listening to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only really did not seem to be possible on this scale in our country. I could not also visualize the details, also prior to the updates of further devastation began coming in.Vladimir came fairly quickly, noticing that one thing quite severe was actually being actually talked about. I swayed Michael right into the module too. They were actually also astounded and stunned. After our company signed off, I attempted to describe to Vladimir as well as Michael as ideal I could the prospective size of this particular show of horror in downtown New york and at the Pentagon. They clearly understood and also were very considerate.I glanced at the Planet Map on the pc to view where over the planet our team were actually and also discovered that we were actually happening southeast out of Canada and will be passing over New England in a few moments. I zipped around the terminal until I discovered a home window that will give me a perspective of NYC as well as took hold of the local cam. It took place to be a video camera, and I was actually appearing southern coming from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to be to possess a weird flower to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After going through some of the news articles our company merely received, I think our team were considering NY around the time of, or shortly after, the crash of the second high rise. Just how dreadful ...I swung the video camera all along the East Coast to the south to see if I can view some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually quite challenging to deal with work afterwards, though we had some to accomplish, yet on the next orbit our company traversed the United States additional southern. All 3 people were operating one or two electronic cameras to make an effort to obtain perspectives of New york city or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, however no particular resource may be seen. Everything looked awesome from a couple of hundred kilometers away. I can not envision the terrible settings on the ground.Aside from the mental effect of our country being actually tackled and also 1000s of our consumers and maybe some buddies being killed, the absolute most overwhelming sensation being actually where I am is just one of seclusion.Next time ... I think the fatigue and also psychological strain acquired the most effective of me. I could not stay awake as well as remain to compose. Today was still tough, yet our experts started acquiring even more details, plus our team possessed the tribute of chatting directly with the Facility Supervisor, Roy Estess, who guaranteed us that the ground teams would continue to operate and also guarantee our protection, in addition to the secure function of the Station. Our experts likewise spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who added that the partners in the Plan are all totally dedicated to continuing safe operations and help. These were actually never ever inquiries for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground staffs have actually been very supporting, extremely understanding of the impact of the headlines, and have actually attempted to become as handy as achievable. They have actually all been incredibly professional and concentrated though I can not envision the diversion of this form of updates coming in as well as the idea that federal government properties could be at risk. They never ever bypassed a beat, even when transferring nerve center. And also a team of elderly staffs and also close friends offered our team a fairly comprehensive instruction on what was actually recognized as well as what was actually being performed in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually quite valuable and also type of all of them to perform in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually also been encouraging and helpful, trying to uplink newspaper article when our very own possessions were inoperable, as well as mentioning kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been actually terrific, too. They know it is actually been a tough time for me and also the people on the ground, and also they've attempted to be as also keeled and helpful as feasible. Michael even fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for supper. As well as they give me lots of room to assume when I needed it. They are really compassionate as well as naturally shocked at whoever would certainly perform this.I recognize numerous folks in Washington, a lot of folks that take a trip to DC and NYC, numerous that are flies, that I really felt certain I will receive at the very least a handful of parts of trouble over the upcoming couple of times. I got the initial one today when I discovered that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that reached the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I came across Chic during plebe summertime when our company were in the D&B all together, and also we possessed great deals of training class together. I can not picture what he should of looked at, as well as currently I listen to that he might possess climbed better than our company may even think of by potentially stopping his plane from being actually the one to attack the White House. What an awful loss, yet I make certain Chic was actually battling bravely throughout. And splits do not move the very same in space ...It's difficult to explain just how it really feels to be the only American completely off the planet at once including this. The sensation that I ought to be there with each of you, taking care of this, helping in some way, is mind-boggling. I understand that our team perform the limit (or even past) of a horrible change in the history of the globe. Many things will definitely certainly never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the 1000s and also lots of individuals straight influenced through these ghastly actions of terrorism, yet perhaps for all of us. We will certainly find our own selves really feeling in a different way regarding lots of factors, including possibly room expedition, sadly.It's dreadful to view smoke cigarettes pouring from injuries in your very own country coming from such a superb perspective. The duality of performing a space capsule committed to strengthening everyday life on the planet and seeing life being destroyed through such purposeful, awful actions is actually jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are. And also the understanding that everything are going to be different than when our experts introduced due to the opportunity we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and also in our management that our company are going to carry out every little thing feasible to much better defend her and also our family members, and to deliver fair treatment of what has actually been carried out. I possess peace of mind that the good people at NASA will definitely do every little thing necessary to continue our purpose securely as well as return us carefully at the right time. As well as I skip each of you significantly. I can not be there along with you in person, as well as our experts possess a very long way to head to accomplish our goal, yet be specific that my center is actually with you, and also understand you remain in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final letter ... The good news is, it's been an active full week up listed here. And also to show that, like our country, our team are continuing on our planned course with organization as usual (as long as possible). Tonight the most recent add-on to the place, the Russian Docking Chamber will certainly be actually launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (US time), it will definitely dock with our company, at a port never made use of prior to on the low point edge of the Company Module. This brand-new element is going to provide us one more spot to dock a Development or even Soyuz as well as will offer a large airlock along with two able to be used hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our company will definitely do a few of just before our company get home.The issue just before in managing recently was actually insufficient information. The problem right now is excessive. It arrived all at once when e-mail was actually repaired, as well as there's not enough opportunity to read all of it! Plus it's as well tough to cope with all of it simultaneously. But I cherish receiving it, and also I really cherish the fantastic characters of support and friendly relationship I am actually acquiring.Our company are actually flourishing aboard, getting our work done, as well as talking about traits. Final evening our team possessed a lengthy discussion over dinner about the importance of these activities, the feasible activities to comply with, and what should be actually carried out. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every email he got from close friends in Russia mentioned especially to tell me exactly how regretful they were that this happened, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as talking to how I was actually performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are much too long to verbalize quickly.) Extremely type people.For the last pair of days, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to broadcast online shows of radio updates regarding the event as well as associated accounts, to be sure I was actually well notified. Every expert who has begun free throw line to explain a procedure or even a concern has at some point expanded greetings to me along with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that because of the big day of remembrance in the US, throughout the day folks had actually been actually bringing flowers and edging all the walls of the United States consulate in Moscow, and this night they were actually igniting candle lights in the street outside the embassy. Just how the planet has actually changed.People almost everywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and horror in this assault. As well as the incredible reduction. Moscow has actually taken care of these sort of issues in the final few years with home as well as train bombings, so they are as distressed to get rid of this hazard as our company are actually. However all-time low line is actually that there are great individuals almost everywhere who desire to stay in tranquility. I review that a kid asked, "United States is actually therefore really good to various other nations, our team regularly help every person, just how can they despise our team so much?".I hope the instance of participation and trust that this space probe plus all the people in the course display daily are going to someday influence the rest of the planet to function similarly. They must!However, our experts will not be actually flying over the US while people are actually igniting candle lights. Do not recognize if our company can observe that anyway. Our company carried out, nonetheless, see a very uncommon as well as attractive sight a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. We were actually surpassing it and it emerged concerning 3 minutes after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine reached our station, so it was actually still unaware. It looked like a big comet along with a right, wide rear silhouetted versus the black world beneath. In spite of some negative lighting for some time as the sunshine struck our home window at a reduced angle, I took care of some video clip of it as first our team passed the spacecraft, and after that saw it start to mesmerize as it got elevation and velocity. I shot until primary engine deadline and also enhancer separation developed equally our company moved toward sunrise on the Mountain ranges. An unforgettable attraction in an extraordinary week ...Life goes on, also precede. We are actually listed below to remain ... Frank.