.Publisher's Details: The following is the content of a letter from Exploration 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reassessing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed very much regarding specifics of the purpose during the course of the month I have actually been here, mainly for pair of factors: the initial being actually that there has actually been actually very little time to do that kind of composing, as well as also since I'm not sure just how pleasant I am sharing thoughts I show to family and friends with the rest of the globe.Well, obviously the globe transformed today. What I say or even do is actually quite minor contrasted to the importance of what took place to our nation today when it was actually assaulted through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we understand, I think. Difficult to understand at whom to drive our anger as well as concern ...I had simply finished a number of tasks today, the absolute most taxing being the physical exams of all staff members. In a private chat complying with that, the air travel specialist told me they were actually having a very poor time on the ground. I had no idea ...He defined the condition to me as ideal he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, at that point horrified. My first notion was that this had not been a real conversation, that I was actually still listening closely to among my Tom Clancy strips. It merely really did not seem achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't also think of the details, also before the updates of additional damage started coming in.Vladimir visited rather quickly, noticing that something quite serious was actually being actually discussed. I swung Michael into the component as well. They were also astonished and also stunned. After our experts signed off, I attempted to detail to Vladimir and also Michael as absolute best I can the possible measurement of this show of horror in downtown Manhattan and at the Government. They plainly knew and were actually very thoughtful.I browsed the Planet Chart on the computer to view where over the globe our company were actually and observed that our company were coming southeast away from Canada as well as will be actually skipping New England in a handful of minutes. I whized around the terminal till I discovered a window that would provide me a perspective of NYC and nabbed the closest video camera. It took place to be a video camera, and also I was looking southern coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to possess a strange blossom to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the city. After going through some of the news articles we merely acquired, I think our company were actually examining NY around the time of, or even quickly after, the collapse of the second high rise. Exactly how unpleasant ...I swung the camera the whole time the East Shore to the south to see if I could observe any other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, however nothing was visible.It was actually pretty tough to consider work afterwards, though our company possessed some to perform, however on the next orbit our experts crossed the United States more southern. All three people were operating a couple of video cameras to attempt to get perspectives of The big apple or Washington. There was fog over Washington, but no specific source could be viewed. It all appeared astonishing coming from two to three hundred miles away. I can't visualize the terrible scenes on the ground.Other than the emotional influence of our country being dealt with as well as 1000s of our people as well as possibly some buddies being actually gotten rid of, the absolute most difficult sensation being where I am is one of seclusion.Following day ... I presume the tiredness as well as emotional strain got the most ideal of me. I couldn't stay awake and also continue to compose. Today was still hard, however our company started getting more information, plus our experts had the tribute of chatting directly along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, that guaranteed us that the ground teams would remain to work and also ensure our safety, as well as the risk-free procedure of the Place. We also spoke with our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who included that the companions in the Plan are actually all absolutely committed to continuing safe functions as well as help. These were never concerns for me. I know all these people! The ground staffs have been actually very supporting, extremely understanding of the effect of the information, and also have actually attempted to be as valuable as achievable. They have all been actually incredibly professional as well as focused though I can't think of the interruption of the form of information being available in and also the thought that federal government properties could be at risk. They never avoided a beat, even when moving nerve center. And a group of senior workers and also pals gave our company a rather complete instruction on what was understood as well as what was actually being carried out in the authorities and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was really useful and also sort of all of them to accomplish in the middle of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has likewise been supporting and also helpful, making an effort to uplink newspaper article when our very own properties were unusable, as well as claiming kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been wonderful, also. They understand it is actually been a tough day for me and also the people on the ground, and they've tried to be as even keeled and handy as feasible. Michael even fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. As well as they give me lots of space to think when I needed it. They are incredibly considerate and also obviously outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I understand so many people in Washington, numerous folks that journey to DC and NYC, a lot of who are actually captains, that I really felt certain I will receive at least a couple of parts of bad news over the next handful of times. I received the 1st one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I encountered Chic throughout plebe summer when we resided in the D&B all together, and our company possessed tons of lessons together. I can not picture what he has to of experienced, and right now I hear that he may have risen even further than our company can easily also think about through perhaps stopping his plane from being actually the one to attack the White Property. What a terrible reduction, yet I ensure Chic was battling bravely to the end. And also rips do not move the very same precede ...It is actually hard to define how it feels to become the only American totally off the earth each time including this. The feeling that I need to exist with every one of you, coping with this, helping in some way, is difficult. I recognize that we perform the threshold (or even past) of a horrible switch in the past history of the globe. Many points are going to certainly never be the same again after September 11, 2001. Not only for the thousands as well as hundreds of people directly had an effect on through these hideous process of violence, but possibly for all of us. Our company will certainly locate our own selves feeling in a different way regarding dozens of factors, including probably space expedition, sadly.It is actually horrendous to find smoke putting coming from injuries in your own country coming from such a great point of view. The duality of being on a spacecraft committed to enhancing everyday life on the planet and checking out lifestyle being actually damaged by such conscious, terrible process is jolting to the psyche, no matter who you are. And the know-how that everything will definitely be different than when our company introduced by the opportunity our company land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our country and also in our leadership that our experts will certainly do whatever possible to much better guard her and also our households, and to bring justice wherefore has been carried out. I have self-confidence that the really good individuals at NASA will carry out everything needed to continue our objective carefully and also return our team properly at the right time. As well as I overlook every one of you very much. I can't exist along with you personally, and also we possess a very long way to visit complete our purpose, however be certain that my heart is actually with you, and also know you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Luckily, it is actually been a busy full week up right here. And to confirm that, like our nation, our company are actually continuing on our designated road along with company customarily (as much as possible). Tonight the latest add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Area will be actually released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US opportunity), it is going to dock along with our team, at a port never used before on the low point edge of the Solution Module. This new element is going to give our team yet another spot to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also will offer a huge airlock with two able to be used hatches for conducting EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our experts will certainly perform a few of just before our company get back.The issue prior to in handling today was actually too little news. The problem right now is a lot of. It came all at once when email was brought back, and there's inadequate opportunity to review it all! Plus it is actually also challenging to handle all of it immediately. Yet I enjoy acquiring it, and I definitely cherish the excellent characters of help and friendship I am actually receiving.Our team are actually flourishing on board, receiving our job done, and also talking about things. Final night we possessed a lengthy dialogue over supper regarding the implication of these events, the achievable actions to follow, as well as what must be actually performed. After dinner, Michael made a point of telling me that every e-mail he received from buddies in Russia said exclusively to tell me how sorry they were that this taken place, stretching their condolences, as well as inquiring just how I was actually performing. Vladimir showed me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after talking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity City. (Both the Russian and also the English words are considerably too long to verbalize simply.) Extremely types people.For the final 2 days, the Russian MCC has actually sufficed to transfer real-time programs of radio news concerning the occasion as well as linked tales, to see to it I was actually well informed. Every professional that has come on the line to cover a procedure or a concern has at some aspect stretched greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that as a result of the wedding of recognition in the US, throughout the day folks had been actually taking blossoms and also edging all the walls of the US embassy in Moscow, as well as this night they were actually lighting candlesticks in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the globe has actually transformed.People just about everywhere seem to be to acknowledge the senselessness and also horror in this particular attack. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has actually coped with these sort of problems in the last few years with apartment and also train battles, so they are actually as anxious to remove this risk as our experts are. Yet all-time low series is actually that there are actually really good people just about everywhere that want to live in peace. I read that a little one inquired, "America is actually so great to other nations, our experts consistently help everyone, just how can they hate our team so much?".I really hope the example of cooperation as well as leave that this space probe and all individuals in the program show daily are going to one day encourage the rest of the globe to function the same way. They must!Regrettably, we will not be flighting over the United States while people are actually igniting candlesticks. Don't understand if our company might view that anyhow. Our experts carried out, having said that, observe an incredibly unique and also gorgeous attraction a few mins ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. We were actually surpassing it as well as it emerged regarding three mins after its own launch from Baikonur as the sun reached our station, so it was actually still in the dark. It seemed like a big comet with a straight, large tail silhouetted against the darker planet underneath. In spite of some negative lighting fixtures for some time as the sunshine hit our window at a reduced perspective, I handled some video of it as initially our experts passed the spacecraft, and after that watched it start to mesmerize as it acquired elevation as well as rate. I filmed up until main engine deadline and also booster separation took place equally our company moved toward sunrise on the Himalayas. A remarkable attraction in a memorable full week ...Lifestyle happens, even precede. Our company're right here to stay ... Frank.