.Publisher's Details: The observing is the text message of a letter from Exploration Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Retired), assessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created significantly about specifics of this particular mission throughout the month I've been actually right here, primarily for pair of causes: the first being that there has been very little opportunity to carry out that type of composing, as well as furthermore, considering that I am actually unsure exactly how comfortable I am sharing notions I show to friends and family along with the remainder of the planet.Effectively, clearly the world changed today. What I say or carry out is actually very slight compared to the importance of what took place to our nation today when it was actually attacked through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we know, I suppose. Hard to understand at whom to route our rage as well as anxiety ...I had actually just ended up a variety of activities this morning, one of the most lengthy being the physical exams of all crew participants. In a personal talk complying with that, the air travel cosmetic surgeon informed me they were possessing an extremely bad day on the ground. I possessed no concept ...He explained the circumstance to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was thrown for a loop, after that frightened. My initial thought and feelings was actually that this had not been an actual talk, that I was still listening closely to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It simply really did not appear possible on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't even envision the particulars, also before the information of additional devastation started can be found in.Vladimir came rather promptly, picking up that one thing really serious was actually being talked about. I swayed Michael right into the component also. They were actually also surprised and also stunned. After we signed off, I tried to explain to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I could possibly the prospective enormity of this particular act of horror in midtown Manhattan and also at the Government. They accurately knew as well as were extremely thoughtful.I glanced at the World Chart on the computer system to see where over the globe we were actually and observed that our experts were happening southeast away from Canada as well as would be actually skipping New England in a handful of moments. I zipped around the terminal up until I located a window that would provide me a perspective of NYC as well as ordered the local camera. It happened to be a camera, as well as I was actually appearing south from the window of Michael's cabin.The smoke seemed to have an odd flower to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the urban area. After reading one of the news articles our team simply got, I believe our team were actually taking a look at NY around the time of, or not long after, the failure of the second tower. Exactly how dreadful ...I swept the electronic camera during the East Coastline to the south to observe if I could see some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually quite hard to think of job afterwards, though our team had some to accomplish, however on the upcoming orbit our team moved across the US further south. All 3 people were actually operating a couple of cams to try to acquire sights of The big apple or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no particular resource may be seen. All of it appeared unbelievable from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't think of the tragic settings on the ground.Apart from the mental impact of our nation being actually tackled as well as lots of our people and possibly some pals being gotten rid of, the best difficult sensation being actually where I am actually is just one of isolation.Next day ... I presume the fatigue and mental stress received the most ideal of me. I couldn't keep awake and continue to compose. Today was still tough, yet we started acquiring more information, plus our team had the honor of talking directly along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who assured our company that the ground teams would certainly continue to function and ensure our protection, along with the secure procedure of the Place. Our experts also learnt through our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the Program are all totally devoted to carrying on secure operations and also assistance. These were actually never questions for me. I know all these individuals! The ground groups have actually been actually surprisingly supporting, quite understanding of the effect of the headlines, as well as have actually tried to be as practical as possible. They have actually all been very professional as well as centered though I can't visualize the diversion of this kind of news coming in and also the thought and feelings that federal government buildings may be at risk. They never ever bypassed a beat, also when moving control centers. As well as a team of senior personnel as well as friends gave our team a fairly complete instruction about what was recognized as well as what was being done in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was extremely valuable and also type of them to accomplish in the middle of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supporting as well as useful, trying to uplink newspaper article when our own possessions were actually unusable, and also stating kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually great, also. They understand it's been a hard time for me and also the people on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to become as even keeled as well as useful as possible. Michael even fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And also they offer me a lot of space to presume when I needed it. They are actually very supportive and also naturally outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I understand so many people in Washington, a lot of individuals that journey to DC and also New York City, many who are aviators, that I experienced sure I would certainly acquire at least a few pieces of bad news over the following couple of days. I got the first one today when I found out that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that struck the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I encountered Chic in the course of cadet summertime when our experts remained in the D&B all together, as well as our company had lots of training class with each other. I can't envision what he needs to of undergone, as well as now I listen to that he might possess climbed even more than our experts may even consider through potentially preventing his airplane coming from being actually the one to tackle the White Property. What a horrendous reduction, yet I make sure Chic was actually combating fearlessly to the end. And tears don't move the very same in space ...It's challenging to describe exactly how it experiences to become the only United States totally off the world each time such as this. The emotion that I ought to be there along with all of you, coping with this, assisting in some way, is difficult. I know that our team get on the limit (or beyond) of an awful switch in the history of the world. Numerous factors will certainly never be the same again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not simply for the thousands and thousands of people directly affected through these ghastly actions of terrorism, yet probably for everyone. We will certainly discover our own selves really feeling differently concerning dozens of traits, including most likely space expedition, sadly.It's horrendous to find smoke putting coming from cuts in your personal nation from such an excellent point of view. The dichotomy of getting on a spacecraft devoted to improving live on the planet as well as checking out lifestyle being destroyed by such premeditated, horrendous process is actually jolting to the subconscious, regardless of that you are. And the understanding that every thing will certainly be actually various than when our company introduced by the time we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation and also in our management that our experts will certainly do every thing possible to far better defend her as well as our households, and also to deliver fair treatment of what has actually been actually carried out. I have assurance that the really good people at NASA will do every thing needed to proceed our objective safely and securely and also return our team safely and securely at the correct time. As well as I overlook each one of you significantly. I can not exist with you face to face, and our team possess a very long way to visit accomplish our goal, however be actually specific that my center is along with you, and also understand you remain in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Fortunately, it is actually been actually an active full week up listed below. As well as to show that, like our nation, our experts are actually continuing our planned course with business as usual (as much as possible). Tonight the latest add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will definitely be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (US time), it is going to dock with our company, at a slot never utilized just before on the nadir edge of the Company Element. This brand new component will give our team another spot to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and also will definitely supply a huge airlock along with two able to be used hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which we will perform a few of before our team get back.The issue prior to in taking care of recently was inadequate headlines. The problem today is actually excessive. It arrived all at once when e-mail was actually restored, and also there's insufficient opportunity to read everything! Plus it's also tough to handle all of it simultaneously. But I value obtaining it, and I really enjoy the great letters of assistance and friendly relationship I am obtaining.Our company are doing well on board, getting our work performed, and speaking about factors. Last evening our experts had a long dialogue over dinner regarding the value of these celebrations, the possible actions to comply with, as well as what must be actually performed. After supper, Michael made a point of telling me that every e-mail he acquired coming from pals in Russia mentioned especially to inform me exactly how sorry they were actually that this taken place, stretching their condolences, as well as talking to just how I was performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian phrase for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity City. (Both the Russian and also the English words are a lot very lengthy to verbalize quickly.) Incredibly kind folks.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has sufficed to send real-time broadcasts of broadcast updates about the celebration as well as associated stories, to make sure I was actually well notified. Every professional that has come on the line to discuss a technique or a trouble has at some aspect extended hellos to me along with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that due to the wedding day of recognition in the United States, all day people had actually been actually delivering flowers as well as lining all the walls of the United States consulate in Moscow, and also this evening they were igniting candle lights in the street outside the embassy. Just how the globe has changed.Individuals almost everywhere appear to realize the senselessness and also horror in this attack. As well as the incredible loss. Moscow has taken care of these type of problems in the final couple of years along with apartment and also subway bombings, so they are actually as restless to eliminate this threat as we are actually. But all-time low product line is that there are really good people almost everywhere who intend to stay in peace. I review that a youngster talked to, "United States is actually therefore excellent to various other countries, we consistently aid everyone, how can they detest us a lot?".I really hope the example of collaboration as well as trust that this space capsule and all individuals in the plan demonstrate daily will someday inspire the remainder of the globe to function similarly. They must!However, we won't be actually flying over the United States during the time people are igniting candles. Do not understand if our experts could possibly find that in any case. Our experts carried out, however, view an extremely unique and beautiful view a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz enhancer. Our team were actually overtaking it and it emerged regarding three mins after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine struck our station, so it was still unaware. It seemed like a sizable comet with a straight, wide rear silhouetted versus the darker planet beneath. In spite of some negative lighting fixtures for a while as the sun hit our window at a low angle, I handled some video of it as first we passed the rocket, and then saw it begin to catch up as it gained altitude and also rate. I shot till principal engine deadline as well as booster splitting up happened just like our company moved toward dawn on the Himalayas. A memorable sight in a memorable week ...Life happens, also precede. Our team're below to remain ... Frank.