.Publisher's Keep in mind: The adhering to is actually the text of a character coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), assessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created very much regarding specifics of the purpose throughout the month I have actually been listed here, generally for pair of reasons: the very first being that there has actually been actually really little bit of time to accomplish that type of creating, and also considering that I'm uncertain exactly how comfy I am sharing notions I show family and friends along with the rest of the globe.Well, definitely the planet altered today. What I claim or even carry out is actually very slight contrasted to the importance of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually assaulted by ... by whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I reckon. Tough to recognize at whom to direct our rage and fear ...I had actually merely ended up a variety of activities today, the most taxing being the physical exams of all workers participants. In a private discussion complying with that, the tour doctor informed me they were actually having a very negative time on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He explained the condition to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually amazed, at that point horrified. My very first thought and feelings was that this had not been an actual talk, that I was still paying attention to among my Tom Clancy tapes. It only didn't appear possible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't also imagine the particulars, also just before the updates of additional devastation began can be found in.Vladimir dropped in fairly swiftly, sensing that one thing quite severe was being actually reviewed. I swayed Michael in to the component as well. They were likewise surprised as well as stunned. After our experts signed off, I made an effort to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as finest I could possibly the possible magnitude of the act of fear in midtown New york and at the Government. They plainly understood and also were actually very sympathetic.I eyed the Globe Chart on the computer system to view where over the globe our team were actually and noticed that we were actually happening southeast out of Canada and also would certainly be passing over New England in a handful of mins. I zipped around the terminal till I located a home window that would certainly provide me a perspective of NYC and got hold of the closest camera. It happened to be a video camera, as well as I was actually appearing southern from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke cigarettes seemed to possess a weird blossom to it at the foundation of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After reading through one of the newspaper article our experts simply received, I believe our experts were actually checking out NY around the time of, or even quickly after, the failure of the second tower. Exactly how terrible ...I scanned the video camera all along the East Shore to the south to view if I could possibly find every other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, however absolutely nothing showed up.It was actually quite hard to consider job afterwards, though our team possessed some to do, but on the upcoming track we moved across the US further southern. All three of us were actually working a couple of cameras to try to acquire scenery of New york city or Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no certain resource can be viewed. It all appeared astonishing from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't picture the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Besides the mental influence of our country being attacked as well as lots of our residents and perhaps some friends being eliminated, the best mind-boggling emotion being actually where I am is just one of solitude.Upcoming day ... I guess the exhaustion and mental stress acquired the best of me. I couldn't stay awake and also remain to create. Today was actually still difficult, yet our company started obtaining even more info, plus we had the tribute of talking straight with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, who ensured our company that the ground teams would certainly continue to function and also guarantee our safety, and also the safe operation of the Station. Our team additionally spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that included that the partners in the System are actually all totally devoted to continuing secure procedures and also help. These were actually certainly never questions for me. I know all these folks! The ground teams have actually been extremely supportive, very understanding of the influence of the news, and also have tried to be as valuable as achievable. They have actually all been very professional as well as centered though I can't envision the diversion of the form of news coming in and also the idea that government properties could be in jeopardy. They never bypassed a beat, also when transferring nerve center. As well as a group of senior workers and also buddies provided our company a pretty comprehensive instruction on what was understood and what was actually being done in the authorities and at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually incredibly practical and type of them to do in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been supportive and helpful, trying to uplink newspaper article when our very own resources were unusable, as well as claiming kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been actually wonderful, too. They recognize it is actually been actually a difficult time for me as well as the people on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to become as also keeled and practical as achievable. Michael even corrected me my beloved Borscht soup for supper. And they offer me lots of space to believe when I required it. They are actually incredibly compassionate and obviously outraged at whoever would certainly do this.I understand so many people in Washington, numerous people who take a trip to DC and New York City, a lot of that are captains, that I really felt certain I would certainly obtain at the very least a handful of items of problem over the upcoming few times. I received the very first one today when I found out that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that attacked the Pentagon was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I met Chic throughout plebe summer season when our team remained in the D&B with each other, and our team possessed tons of courses with each other. I can not visualize what he has to of gone through, and now I hear that he might have increased better than our company can easily even think about through perhaps preventing his plane coming from being actually the one to deal with the White Property. What an awful loss, but I'm sure Chic was dealing with fearlessly throughout. And tears don't stream the same in space ...It is actually difficult to define just how it feels to be the only United States totally off the world each time including this. The sensation that I should exist along with every one of you, handling this, assisting somehow, is actually overwhelming. I understand that our company perform the limit (or even beyond) of an awful shift in the record of the world. Several traits will certainly never ever coincide again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not simply for the 1000s and 1000s of folks directly affected by these horrible process of terrorism, however possibly for everyone. We will locate ourselves feeling in a different way concerning dozens of traits, including probably room exploration, however.It's dreadful to find smoke cigarettes putting from injuries in your own country from such an amazing viewpoint. The dichotomy of getting on a space probe devoted to strengthening everyday life on the earth as well as viewing life being damaged by such deliberate, horrible acts is actually jolting to the subconscious, no matter that you are actually. And the understanding that every little thing will definitely be different than when we introduced due to the opportunity we land is a little disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our leadership that our company will certainly do whatever possible to much better shield her and also our families, and to carry justice for what has been actually performed. I have assurance that the really good folks at NASA will certainly perform every little thing important to proceed our mission carefully and also return our team carefully at the right time. And I overlook all of you significantly. I can not be there with you personally, as well as our team possess a very long way to head to finish our mission, however be actually certain that my center is actually along with you, and recognize you remain in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the last character ... Luckily, it is actually been a busy full week up here. And to verify that, like our country, our company are continuing our intended pathway with service customarily (as long as possible). Tonight the latest enhancement to the place, the Russian Docking Area are going to be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a slot never ever used before on the low point side of the Company Component. This new module will offer our team yet another area to dock a Development or Soyuz and also will certainly deliver a large airlock along with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our company will certainly carry out a few of prior to our company get home.The problem prior to in dealing with today was too little information. The complication now is actually too much. It came at one time when e-mail was recovered, as well as there is actually insufficient opportunity to review everything! Plus it is actually as well hard to deal with all of it instantly. Yet I enjoy obtaining it, as well as I truly enjoy the fantastic letters of assistance as well as friendly relationship I am acquiring.Our team are flourishing on board, obtaining our job done, as well as referring to things. Last evening we had a lengthy conversation over dinner about the value of these activities, the possible actions to comply with, as well as what should be actually done. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every e-mail he got from buddies in Russia pointed out primarily to inform me just how regretful they were that this occurred, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as talking to exactly how I was actually performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian term for "condolences" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar City. (Both the Russian as well as the English words are actually considerably extremely long to pronounce easily.) Extremely kind people.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to send live broadcasts of radio updates about the event as well as connected tales, to ensure I was well updated. Every specialist that has come on free throw line to review a technique or a concern has at some aspect extended greetings to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that because of the special day of recognition in the United States, all the time individuals had been actually bringing blooms and also lining all the wall structures of the United States consular office in Moscow, and also this evening they were actually lighting candles in the road outside the consulate. How the world has changed.Individuals all over appear to identify the senselessness as well as terror within this attack. And also the tremendous reduction. Moscow has actually handled these sort of problems in the final few years along with home and also metro bombings, so they are as anxious to do away with this threat as we are. But the bottom product line is that there are actually good individuals anywhere who wish to stay in calmness. I review that a kid talked to, "America is actually so great to various other nations, our team always assist everyone, how can they loathe us so much?".I hope the instance of cooperation and also rely on that this space capsule and all the people in the course illustrate daily are going to sooner or later influence the remainder of the planet to work similarly. They must!However, our team won't be taking flight over the US during the time folks are igniting candlesticks. Don't recognize if we could possibly see that anyway. Our experts performed, nevertheless, observe a really uncommon and also wonderful attraction a handful of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. Our team were eclipsing it as well as it emerged regarding 3 minutes after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our station, so it was actually still at night. It resembled a big comet with a right, large tail silhouetted versus the dark world underneath. Despite some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sun struck our window at a low angle, I managed some video of it as to begin with we passed the rocket, and then watched it begin to mesmerize as it gained elevation and also speed. I shot until main engine cutoff and also enhancer splitting up occurred just like we came close to daybreak on the Mountain ranges. An extraordinary attraction in a memorable week ...Life goes on, also in space. Our company're listed below to stay ... Frank.