.Publisher's Details: The adhering to is actually the content of a character coming from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written significantly concerning specifics of this particular goal during the course of the month I have actually been actually listed below, mostly for 2 main reasons: the first being actually that there has been actually quite little bit of opportunity to perform that sort of creating, and also furthermore, since I am actually not exactly sure just how comfy I am sharing ideas I show family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Effectively, undoubtedly the world modified today. What I state or carry out is quite minor contrasted to the value of what occurred to our country today when it was actually assaulted by ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we understand, I suspect. Challenging to recognize at whom to route our rage and concern ...I had actually just ended up a lot of tasks this morning, the best taxing being the physical exams of all crew participants. In an exclusive chat complying with that, the flight surgeon informed me they were possessing a quite negative day on the ground. I had no idea ...He described the scenario to me as ideal he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was amazed, at that point terrified. My 1st thought was that this wasn't a genuine discussion, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely didn't seem achievable on this incrustation in our country. I could not even think of the details, even prior to the headlines of more damage began can be found in.Vladimir came by fairly rapidly, sensing that one thing very significant was actually being covered. I swung Michael right into the module at the same time. They were additionally astonished and stunned. After our experts authorized off, I tried to describe to Vladimir and Michael as greatest I might the prospective immensity of this particular show of terror in downtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They precisely knew and were actually quite thoughtful.I browsed the Planet Map on the personal computer to observe where over the globe we were actually as well as observed that our company were coming southeast away from Canada as well as would certainly be overlooking New England in a couple of minutes. I zipped around the station up until I discovered a window that will provide me a perspective of New York City as well as got the nearby electronic camera. It occurred to become a camera, as well as I was actually appearing southern coming from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to possess a strange flower to it at the foundation of the pillar that was streaming south of the area. After going through among the news articles our team just obtained, I think our team were actually checking out NY around the moment of, or even shortly after, the crash of the second high rise. Just how terrible ...I swung the video camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to find if I could possibly see any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, but absolutely nothing showed up.It was actually fairly tough to consider work afterwards, though we possessed some to accomplish, but on the upcoming orbit our team went across the United States additional south. All three people were working one or two cams to make an effort to get sights of New york city or even Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no specific source can be viewed. Everything looked incredible coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can't envision the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Apart from the emotional impact of our country being dealt with and also lots of our consumers and maybe some friends being killed, the absolute most frustrating emotion being actually where I am is one of seclusion.Next day ... I suppose the exhaustion and also mental stress got the most effective of me. I could not stay awake as well as continue to create. Today was actually still hard, however our company started acquiring additional relevant information, plus we possessed the honor of chatting straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who assured our team that the ground groups would certainly remain to function and ensure our safety and security, in addition to the risk-free operation of the Station. Our company likewise talked to our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the System are all totally committed to continuing secure procedures and help. These were actually never ever questions for me. I recognize all these people! The ground staffs have actually been actually incredibly supporting, very understanding of the influence of the headlines, as well as have tried to be as handy as achievable. They have actually all been actually extremely specialist and focused though I can't think of the distraction of the kind of headlines being available in and also the notion that federal government structures could be at risk. They certainly never bypassed a beat, even when transferring nerve center. As well as a team of senior staffs as well as good friends offered us a fairly extensive rundown on what was understood and also what was being actually carried out in the government as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually extremely handy as well as sort of them to do in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually helpful and also beneficial, making an effort to uplink news articles when our very own assets were actually unusable, as well as pointing out kind words ...My crewmates have actually been actually wonderful, as well. They understand it's been actually a hard time for me and also the people on the ground, as well as they've tried to become as even keeled as well as beneficial as possible. Michael also fixed me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And they offer me lots of room to think when I required it. They are actually really understanding and obviously outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I know many people in Washington, many folks who take a trip to DC and NYC, many that are actually aviators, that I experienced certain I would acquire at the very least a few pieces of problem over the following handful of times. I obtained the initial one today when I learned that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that reached the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I met Chic during plebe summer season when we resided in the D&B with each other, and also our company had tons of classes together. I can not picture what he needs to of looked at, and also now I hear that he may have increased additionally than we may even think of by probably stopping his aircraft from being actually the one to deal with the White Residence. What an awful loss, however I make certain Chic was fighting bravely throughout. And also splits don't stream the exact same in space ...It is actually hard to illustrate how it feels to be the only American completely off the planet at a time like this. The sensation that I ought to exist with each one of you, taking care of this, helping in some way, is overwhelming. I know that we are on the limit (or even past) of a terrible change in the record of the globe. Numerous points are going to certainly never coincide once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not just for the 1000s and also lots of folks directly had an effect on through these hideous actions of violence, yet possibly for everybody. Our company will definitely locate ourselves really feeling in a different way about dozens of points, featuring most likely space exploration, however.It is actually awful to observe smoke cigarettes putting from injuries in your own country coming from such a fantastic perspective. The dichotomy of performing a spacecraft dedicated to enhancing everyday life on the planet as well as watching lifestyle being actually destroyed by such unforced, horrible actions is actually jolting to the subconscious, no matter who you are actually. As well as the expertise that every little thing will definitely be various than when our company released by the time our team land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our country and also in our leadership that our team will definitely do whatever feasible to far better protect her and our households, and also to deliver compensation for what has been performed. I possess confidence that the excellent people at NASA will certainly carry out whatever essential to continue our objective securely and return our company safely and securely at the correct time. And also I miss out on each one of you very much. I can't exist along with you face to face, as well as we have a very long way to visit accomplish our purpose, but be actually particular that my heart is actually with you, and understand you remain in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Thankfully, it is actually been a hectic full week up below. And to show that, like our nation, our company are advancing our intended pathway along with organization customarily (as long as feasible). Tonight the most recent addition to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will certainly be actually released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a port certainly never made use of before on the nadir side of the Solution Component. This brand-new component will definitely offer us another area to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and will certainly provide a huge airlock along with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which our company will do a few of just before our company get back.The issue prior to in taking care of today was actually too little updates. The issue right now is way too much. It came at one time when email was actually restored, as well as there's not nearly enough time to review everything! Plus it is actually too hard to deal with all of it at the same time. But I enjoy getting it, and I truly value the wonderful letters of assistance as well as friendly relationship I am receiving.We are actually succeeding aboard, receiving our work carried out, and also talking about factors. Last night our experts had a long conversation over dinner about the significance of these occasions, the feasible actions to follow, and what should be actually performed. After dinner, Michael resolved informing me that every email he got from pals in Russia pointed out primarily to inform me exactly how sorry they were actually that this happened, extending their acknowledgements, and inquiring exactly how I was carrying out. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Urban area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are considerably extremely lengthy to pronounce quickly.) Incredibly types folks.For the final two times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transfer online shows of radio news about the occasion as well as connected tales, to make sure I was actually properly updated. Every professional who has begun the line to talk about a treatment or even a trouble has at some factor expanded greetings to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that because of the big day of recognition in the United States, throughout the day folks had been actually delivering blooms as well as lining all the walls of the US embassy in Moscow, and this night they were actually lighting candles in the street outside the consular office. Exactly how the globe has transformed.Individuals all over seem to realize the senselessness as well as horror in this particular attack. As well as the enormous reduction. Moscow has actually managed these kind of complications in the last few years with apartment or condo and subway battles, so they are actually as anxious to get rid of this risk as our team are. However the bottom collection is actually that there are really good people almost everywhere who intend to stay in peace. I read that a youngster inquired, "America is therefore really good to other countries, our experts always help everyone, just how can they hate our team so much?".I wish the example of participation as well as depend on that this space capsule and all the people in the course show daily will at some point motivate the remainder of the globe to operate similarly. They must!However, our team will not be actually taking flight over the US during the time folks are actually lighting candlesticks. Do not understand if we might view that anyway. We carried out, having said that, see an extremely unique and lovely attraction a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our experts were overtaking it and also it emerged regarding three minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sun struck our terminal, so it was actually still unaware. It seemed like a big comet along with a right, vast tail silhouetted against the darker earth below. In spite of some poor lights for some time as the sun reached our home window at a low position, I took care of some video of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and afterwards saw it start to catch up as it got elevation as well as rate. I recorded till primary engine deadline and booster splitting up occurred equally we approached sunrise on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary view in an unforgettable full week ...Life takes place, also in space. Our team're listed here to remain ... Frank.