.Publisher's Details: The following is actually the text message of a character from Trip Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), assessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written significantly concerning specifics of this particular objective in the course of the month I have actually been listed here, mainly for 2 main reasons: the initial being actually that there has been incredibly little opportunity to accomplish that type of creating, and also furthermore, due to the fact that I am actually not sure how comfy I am actually sharing notions I share with family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Well, undoubtedly the world transformed today. What I say or perform is quite minor reviewed to the importance of what occurred to our country today when it was actually assaulted through ... by whom? Terrorists is actually all we understand, I suppose. Hard to understand at whom to direct our rage as well as concern ...I had just completed a lot of duties today, one of the most lengthy being the physical examinations of all crew members. In a private chat adhering to that, the air travel surgeon informed me they were actually possessing a very bad day on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He explained the circumstance to me as finest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually amazed, after that horrified. My 1st thought and feelings was that this wasn't an actual discussion, that I was actually still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only didn't appear possible on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't also think of the particulars, also before the updates of more devastation started being available in.Vladimir visited fairly rapidly, sensing that something really significant was being actually explained. I swayed Michael into the element at the same time. They were actually additionally astonished and also stunned. After our company authorized off, I made an effort to discuss to Vladimir and Michael as greatest I might the prospective immensity of this act of fear in downtown Manhattan as well as at the Government. They plainly understood as well as were actually extremely supportive.I glanced at the Planet Chart on the pc to find where over the globe our team were as well as noticed that our company were actually happening southeast away from Canada and would certainly be overlooking New England in a couple of mins. I zoomed around the station up until I found a home window that would certainly give me a viewpoint of NYC as well as got hold of the nearby video camera. It happened to be a camera, and I was looking south coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to have an odd flower to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the area. After reading through among the newspaper article our experts just obtained, I feel we were looking at NY around the moment of, or even quickly after, the collapse of the second tower. How awful ...I panned the electronic camera during the East Shoreline to the south to view if I could view every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was fairly challenging to think of work after that, though we had some to do, but on the upcoming orbit our experts went across the United States further southern. All 3 people were functioning one or two cameras to make an effort to acquire views of New york city or Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no specific source might be found. It all appeared amazing from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can not envision the terrible settings on the ground.Aside from the psychological effect of our country being tackled and also 1000s of our citizens as well as maybe some pals being gotten rid of, the most difficult emotion being actually where I am is among seclusion.Following time ... I guess the fatigue and also emotional stress obtained the best of me. I couldn't stay awake and also remain to create. Today was still hard, however our company started acquiring more information, plus our experts possessed the respect of talking directly with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground crews will continue to work and also ensure our safety, as well as the safe function of the Place. Our experts likewise heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the System are actually all absolutely devoted to continuing safe operations as well as support. These were actually certainly never concerns for me. I know all these individuals! The ground crews have actually been actually surprisingly supporting, extremely understanding of the effect of the headlines, and have made an effort to be as valuable as achievable. They have actually all been actually very expert and focused though I can not imagine the interruption of this particular sort of news being available in and the thought and feelings that authorities buildings might be at risk. They never avoided a beat, even when relocating nerve center. As well as a group of elderly employees and buddies offered our team a quite comprehensive briefing on what was known and also what was actually being performed in the government and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was extremely beneficial and also sort of all of them to perform in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supportive and also handy, trying to uplink newspaper article when our very own resources were unusable, as well as saying kind terms ...My crewmates have been excellent, also. They recognize it is actually been a hard time for me and also the people on the ground, and also they've attempted to be as even keeled and handy as possible. Michael also repaired me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And they give me lots of area to presume when I needed it. They are incredibly thoughtful and also certainly outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I know many people in Washington, a lot of individuals that travel to DC and also New York City, numerous who are pilots, that I felt certain I would receive at least a handful of parts of bad news over the following few times. I obtained the first one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic in the course of plebe summer months when we remained in the D&B together, and also our company had bunches of lessons with each other. I can not visualize what he has to of undergone, as well as currently I hear that he may have risen even further than we may even think of by possibly stopping his plane coming from being the one to tackle the White House. What an awful loss, yet I'm sure Chic was battling bravely to the end. As well as splits do not stream the very same in space ...It's hard to explain exactly how it feels to become the only American fully off the planet at a time like this. The emotion that I ought to exist along with all of you, managing this, helping somehow, is actually frustrating. I recognize that our experts are on the limit (or past) of a dreadful switch in the background of the planet. Lots of traits will definitely certainly never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the manies thousand and also thousands of individuals directly impacted by these horrendous actions of terrorism, but possibly for all of us. Our team will locate our own selves experiencing in different ways regarding lots of points, including possibly room exploration, regrettably.It is actually dreadful to observe smoke cigarettes pouring from cuts in your very own nation coming from such a great vantage point. The duality of being on a space probe dedicated to enhancing everyday life on the earth as well as seeing lifestyle being ruined through such deliberate, horrendous acts is jolting to the mind, no matter that you are actually. As well as the understanding that whatever will certainly be various than when our company released due to the time our company land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country as well as in our leadership that our experts will do whatever achievable to far better shield her and also our loved ones, as well as to bring fair treatment wherefore has actually been performed. I possess assurance that the excellent people at NASA will certainly carry out everything necessary to continue our goal safely as well as return us properly at the right time. As well as I miss out on each of you significantly. I can not be there with you personally, and we possess a long way to go to finish our mission, however be certain that my center is with you, and recognize you are in my petitions.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Thankfully, it's been an active week up right here. And also to verify that, like our nation, we are continuing on our intended path along with service as usual (as high as possible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US time), it will dock with us, at a port never ever made use of before on the low point edge of the Company Component. This new element will certainly give our company an additional spot to dock a Development or even Soyuz as well as will certainly give a sizable airlock along with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan suits, which our experts will do a few of prior to our company get back.The complication prior to in taking care of recently was actually inadequate updates. The concern today is actually a lot of. It arrived at one time when e-mail was actually recovered, and there is actually not enough time to read it all! Plus it's as well hard to manage all of it instantly. But I appreciate obtaining it, and I truly enjoy the fantastic letters of help and also companionship I am actually obtaining.We are flourishing aboard, obtaining our work done, and talking about traits. Final night we had a lengthy discussion over dinner concerning the implication of these activities, the achievable actions to adhere to, and what ought to be carried out. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every email he got coming from buddies in Russia pointed out specifically to tell me just how regretful they were actually that this happened, extending their acknowledgements, and also inquiring exactly how I was performing. Vladimir taught me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are a lot too lengthy to pronounce simply.) Really kind individuals.For the last two times, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to send real-time programs of radio news regarding the event and also connected tales, to be sure I was effectively educated. Every professional who has started free throw line to discuss an operation or even a trouble contends some factor extended introductions to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that because of the special day of remembrance in the United States, all day folks had been delivering flowers and edging all the wall surfaces of the United States consulate in Moscow, and also this evening they were igniting candle lights in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the globe has actually changed.Folks anywhere appear to identify the senselessness as well as scary in this particular strike. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has actually dealt with these kind of troubles in the last handful of years along with house as well as train battles, so they are as restless to remove this threat as our company are. Yet all-time low line is that there are really good folks anywhere that would like to live in tranquility. I read through that a kid talked to, "United States is actually therefore excellent to various other nations, our experts regularly assist everyone, how can they dislike us a great deal?".I really hope the instance of cooperation and count on that this space probe and all the people in the system demonstrate daily will sooner or later motivate the rest of the planet to work the same way. They must!Sadly, our company won't be flying over the US during the time people are lighting candlesticks. Don't recognize if our company could view that anyhow. Our company carried out, having said that, see an extremely uncommon as well as stunning attraction a few mins ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually overtaking it as well as it emerged about three mins after its launch from Baikonur as the sunshine reached our terminal, so it was still in the dark. It resembled a big comet along with a directly, wide tail silhouetted against the black earth beneath. Even with some bad lights for some time as the sun attacked our window at a low angle, I dealt with some online video of it as to begin with we passed the rocket, and afterwards saw it start to catch up as it gained height and speed. I shot till major engine cutoff as well as enhancer splitting up happened equally our company approached daybreak on the Mountain ranges. A memorable view in a remarkable week ...Life goes on, even in space. We're listed below to remain ... Frank.