.Editor's Note: The complying with is the text of a letter from Expedition 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reassessing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created very much regarding specifics of this particular purpose during the month I've been below, generally for pair of causes: the first being actually that there has actually been very little bit of opportunity to accomplish that sort of composing, as well as the second thing is since I am actually not exactly sure just how relaxed I am actually sharing thoughts I provide family and friends along with the rest of the planet.Well, definitely the world modified today. What I mention or even perform is extremely small contrasted to the value of what happened to our country today when it was actually struck by ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I guess. Challenging to recognize at whom to direct our anger as well as fear ...I had merely ended up a lot of duties this morning, the absolute most lengthy being the physical exams of all staff participants. In an exclusive discussion observing that, the tour cosmetic surgeon informed me they were possessing an incredibly negative day on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He illustrated the condition to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was dumbfounded, after that terrified. My 1st thought and feelings was that this wasn't an actual chat, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It merely failed to seem to be possible on this incrustation in our nation. I could not even imagine the details, even before the news of more devastation began can be found in.Vladimir dropped in quite rapidly, picking up that one thing very severe was actually being talked about. I waved Michael right into the element at the same time. They were also amazed as well as stunned. After our company authorized off, I tried to detail to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I might the potential measurement of this show of fear in downtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They precisely knew and also were actually incredibly considerate.I glanced at the World Map on the computer system to see where over the planet our company were and also discovered that our experts were happening southeast away from Canada and will be passing over New England in a few minutes. I zipped around the station till I located a home window that would certainly give me a sight of New York City and got the closest video camera. It took place to be a camera, and I was actually looking south from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to possess a strange bloom to it at the bottom of the pillar that was streaming south of the urban area. After reading among the news articles our experts simply got, I believe our team were taking a look at NY around the moment of, or even not long after, the collapse of the 2nd tower. Just how awful ...I swept the video camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to observe if I could find every other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing at all was visible.It was actually fairly tough to deal with work afterwards, though our team had some to accomplish, however on the upcoming track our experts crossed the US more south. All 3 people were actually working one or two video cameras to make an effort to obtain scenery of Nyc or Washington. There was fog over Washington, yet no particular source can be viewed. Everything looked fabulous coming from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can not think of the heartbreaking scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental influence of our nation being actually tackled and 1000s of our consumers and also maybe some friends being actually killed, one of the most mind-boggling sensation being where I am is one of solitude.Next time ... I presume the tiredness as well as mental pressure received the very best of me. I could not remain awake as well as remain to compose. Today was actually still tough, yet our experts began acquiring even more information, plus our team had the honor of talking straight with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who ensured us that the ground teams would remain to operate and also guarantee our safety and security, in addition to the risk-free operation of the Place. We also spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, that incorporated that the companions in the System are all completely committed to carrying on secure operations and also help. These were actually never questions for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground staffs have been extremely encouraging, extremely understanding of the effect of the information, and have attempted to become as practical as feasible. They have actually all been very expert and concentrated though I can't picture the diversion of the type of headlines being available in and also the notion that federal government properties might be in danger. They never avoided a beat, also when transferring nerve center. As well as a group of elderly staffs and also close friends provided our company a pretty comprehensive instruction on what was actually understood as well as what was actually being actually carried out in the government as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually really practical and type of all of them to do in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually likewise been actually supporting as well as handy, attempting to uplink news articles when our own possessions were actually inoperable, and saying kind phrases ...My crewmates have been wonderful, as well. They know it's been a difficult time for me and also the people on the ground, as well as they have actually attempted to be as also keeled and practical as achievable. Michael also fixed me my preferred Borscht soup for supper. And also they provide me plenty of room to believe when I required it. They are really understanding and also certainly shocked at whoever would certainly perform this.I know a lot of folks in Washington, many people who journey to DC as well as New York City, so many who are actually flies, that I really felt sure I would acquire at least a handful of parts of trouble over the upcoming handful of times. I obtained the initial one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that struck the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I came across Chic in the course of cadet summer season when we resided in the D&B all together, as well as we had tons of courses with each other. I can not envision what he must of looked at, and also currently I listen to that he might possess risen even more than our experts may even consider through potentially preventing his plane coming from being the one to deal with the White Home. What a horrendous loss, however I'm sure Chic was actually dealing with bravely throughout. And also tears do not stream the exact same precede ...It is actually challenging to illustrate just how it feels to become the only American totally off the earth at a time such as this. The emotion that I must exist with every one of you, taking care of this, aiding in some way, is actually mind-boggling. I know that we are on the limit (or past) of a terrible shift in the background of the globe. Lots of traits will definitely never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the 1000s and countless people straight influenced through these horrendous process of violence, but most likely for we all. We will certainly discover ourselves feeling in a different way concerning lots of factors, featuring probably space exploration, sadly.It is actually dreadful to see smoke pouring coming from injuries in your very own nation from such an awesome angle. The dichotomy of performing a spacecraft committed to enhancing live on the planet as well as watching life being actually ruined by such willful, dreadful acts is jolting to the psyche, despite that you are. And also the expertise that whatever will be actually various than when our team released by the opportunity our company land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our nation and in our management that we will carry out whatever possible to far better protect her as well as our families, and also to deliver justice wherefore has been performed. I have confidence that the really good individuals at NASA will certainly do every little thing necessary to continue our objective safely and securely and also return our company safely at the correct time. And also I skip every one of you significantly. I can't exist along with you personally, as well as our company have a long way to visit finish our objective, but be specific that my center is along with you, and understand you reside in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final letter ... Fortunately, it's been an active full week up below. As well as to prove that, like our country, our team are actually advancing our intended path with service customarily (as long as possible). Tonight the most up to date add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (United States opportunity), it is going to dock along with our company, at a port never made use of prior to on the nadir edge of the Solution Element. This brand new element will definitely provide our team yet another spot to dock an Improvement or even Soyuz as well as will supply a big airlock along with pair of useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan suits, which our company will certainly perform a few of just before our team get home.The trouble just before in coping with recently was actually inadequate news. The problem now is actually too much. It arrived all at once when e-mail was actually restored, and also there's not nearly enough opportunity to review all of it! Plus it's too hard to take care of all of it at the same time. Yet I cherish getting it, and I truly value the wonderful characters of support as well as companionship I am obtaining.We are actually doing well aboard, obtaining our job carried out, and also referring to points. Last night our company had a lengthy discussion over dinner regarding the implication of these celebrations, the possible activities to follow, and also what should be done. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every email he acquired coming from close friends in Russia claimed exclusively to inform me exactly how sorry they were that this occurred, extending their acknowledgements, and inquiring just how I was carrying out. Vladimir taught me the Russian word for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English words are much too lengthy to pronounce effortlessly.) Incredibly kind folks.For the last pair of times, the Russian MCC has sufficed to send online shows of radio news concerning the celebration and also associated accounts, to be sure I was actually effectively notified. Every expert who has actually started the line to discuss a treatment or a problem contends some factor expanded hellos to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that due to the big day of remembrance in the US, throughout the day individuals had actually been actually taking blooms and edging all the walls of the US embassy in Moscow, and also this evening they were actually lighting candle lights in the road outside the consulate. Just how the world has changed.Folks anywhere seem to realize the senselessness as well as scary in this particular assault. And the remarkable reduction. Moscow has actually handled these type of complications in the final few years with apartment and train battles, so they are as distressed to eliminate this threat as our team are. Yet the bottom collection is actually that there are great people almost everywhere who desire to stay in peace. I read through that a kid talked to, "The United States is actually therefore really good to various other countries, our company constantly assist every person, exactly how can they dislike our company so much?".I really hope the example of cooperation and also count on that this space probe plus all people in the plan show daily are going to sooner or later motivate the rest of the world to operate similarly. They must!Sadly, we will not be piloting over the United States while individuals are actually igniting candle lights. Don't recognize if our team could possibly view that anyway. Our experts performed, nonetheless, see an extremely unusual and also lovely view a handful of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Area on a Soyuz booster. We were actually surpassing it and also it emerged concerning 3 moments after its own launch from Baikonur as the sunshine reached our station, so it was actually still in the dark. It seemed like a huge comet along with a straight, wide tail silhouetted against the darker earth beneath. Regardless of some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sunlight attacked our home window at a reduced perspective, I managed some video clip of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and afterwards enjoyed it begin to mesmerize as it obtained elevation and velocity. I filmed up until primary motor deadline as well as enhancer separation happened just as our team came close to sunup on the Himalayas. A memorable sight in an extraordinary week ...Lifestyle happens, even in space. Our team're listed here to remain ... Frank.