.Publisher's Note: The complying with is the message of a letter coming from Expedition 3 Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reassessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not composed significantly regarding specifics of the objective during the course of the month I have actually been here, primarily for pair of main reasons: the 1st being actually that there has been very little time to do that kind of creating, and also because I am actually not exactly sure how comfortable I am actually discussing notions I share with friends and family along with the rest of the world.Properly, undoubtedly the world modified today. What I claim or even carry out is very small compared to the value of what took place to our nation today when it was actually assaulted by ... by whom? Terrorists is all we understand, I suppose. Difficult to recognize at whom to route our temper and fear ...I had actually simply ended up a lot of tasks today, the most lengthy being actually the physical exams of all team participants. In a private talk observing that, the air travel cosmetic surgeon informed me they were having a quite bad time on the ground. I possessed no idea ...He defined the condition to me as best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was flabbergasted, then frightened. My very first thought and feelings was that this wasn't a real chat, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only failed to seem achievable on this incrustation in our country. I could not even picture the particulars, also before the news of additional devastation began coming in.Vladimir came rather swiftly, noticing that one thing quite significant was being actually discussed. I waved Michael in to the module also. They were actually likewise astounded as well as stunned. After our company authorized off, I made an effort to reveal to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I might the prospective measurement of this particular act of terror in midtown Manhattan as well as at the Pentagon. They precisely recognized and were incredibly thoughtful.I glanced at the Planet Chart on the computer to see where over the world our company were actually and also discovered that our company were happening southeast out of Canada and would be overlooking New England in a handful of moments. I whized around the station until I discovered a window that would certainly give me a scenery of NYC and also took hold of the closest video camera. It took place to be a video camera, and I was actually looking south from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to have an odd bloom to it at the foundation of the column that was streaming south of the area. After reading some of the newspaper article our company merely acquired, I feel our team were actually looking at NY around the moment of, or even shortly after, the failure of the 2nd high rise. Just how awful ...I scanned the electronic camera during the East Coastline to the south to view if I might see every other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, yet nothing at all showed up.It was actually pretty difficult to deal with job afterwards, though we possessed some to do, yet on the following orbit our company traversed the United States more south. All three of us were actually operating one or two video cameras to attempt to obtain views of New York or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no particular resource could be viewed. Everything appeared amazing coming from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can not think of the heartbreaking settings on the ground.Apart from the emotional impact of our country being dealt with as well as thousands of our residents as well as perhaps some pals being killed, the most difficult sensation being where I am is just one of isolation.Following time ... I think the fatigue and also mental tension acquired the most effective of me. I couldn't stay awake as well as continue to write. Today was actually still tough, yet our experts began receiving additional relevant information, plus we possessed the respect of talking straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, that ensured our team that the ground staffs would continue to operate and also ensure our security, in addition to the safe function of the Station. Our company additionally talked to our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the System are all absolutely committed to continuing safe procedures and support. These were actually never inquiries for me. I recognize all these folks! The ground teams have actually been astonishingly encouraging, really understanding of the influence of the news, and have tried to become as handy as feasible. They have all been incredibly expert as well as centered though I can't think of the diversion of this sort of headlines coming in as well as the thought and feelings that government buildings could be in jeopardy. They never avoided a beat, even when relocating control centers. And a team of senior personnel and also close friends provided us a pretty complete rundown about what was actually understood and what was actually being performed in the authorities and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually extremely helpful and type of them to do in the middle of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been actually helpful and also valuable, trying to uplink newspaper article when our own possessions were inoperable, and stating kind phrases ...My crewmates have been actually fantastic, as well. They understand it's been actually a tough time for me and the folks on the ground, as well as they have actually attempted to become as also keeled and beneficial as feasible. Michael even fixed me my favorite Borscht soup for supper. As well as they provide me a lot of space to presume when I needed it. They are extremely understanding as well as obviously shocked at whoever will do this.I know so many individuals in Washington, plenty of individuals that journey to DC and New York City, plenty of that are flies, that I felt sure I would obtain at the very least a handful of pieces of problem over the upcoming couple of times. I acquired the 1st one today when I discovered that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I found Chic in the course of plebe summer months when our team remained in the D&B together, and also we possessed bunches of courses with each other. I can't visualize what he has to of experienced, and also now I listen to that he may possess risen even more than our team may even consider through possibly stopping his plane from being actually the one to attack the White House. What a horrible loss, but I'm sure Chic was fighting bravely throughout. And also tears do not flow the same precede ...It is actually tough to describe exactly how it really feels to become the only American fully off the planet at a time including this. The feeling that I need to exist with all of you, dealing with this, assisting somehow, is overwhelming. I know that our team get on the threshold (or even beyond) of a terrible shift in the history of the planet. A lot of points are going to certainly never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the manies thousand and also countless folks straight affected through these ghastly acts of terrorism, however perhaps for all of us. We will definitely find ourselves experiencing differently regarding lots of points, featuring possibly room expedition, sadly.It is actually dreadful to observe smoke putting coming from wounds in your personal country coming from such a fantastic perspective. The dichotomy of performing a space capsule committed to boosting everyday life on the earth as well as seeing life being actually destroyed by such planned, horrible acts is jolting to the subconscious, regardless of that you are actually. As well as the knowledge that everything will be actually different than when our company introduced by the time we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our country and also in our leadership that our company will perform everything feasible to far better guard her and our family members, and to take compensation for what has been carried out. I possess peace of mind that the great people at NASA will certainly perform every little thing important to proceed our objective properly as well as return our company properly at the correct time. And also I miss each one of you quite. I can't be there with you personally, and also we possess a very long way to head to accomplish our objective, however be actually particular that my soul is along with you, as well as know you reside in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last character ... Luckily, it's been an active week up listed here. As well as to show that, like our country, our company are continuing on our desired course along with company as usual (as long as achievable). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Area will definitely be introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (US opportunity), it is going to dock along with our team, at a slot never ever used just before on the nadir edge of the Company Element. This brand new component will certainly provide our company yet another spot to dock a Progress or Soyuz and are going to give a large airlock with 2 useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which we will certainly perform a few of before our company come home.The concern just before in dealing with this week was too little news. The concern now is a lot of. It came simultaneously when e-mail was restored, as well as there's insufficient time to review all of it! Plus it's as well challenging to take care of all of it instantly. But I value getting it, and I actually cherish the wonderful letters of assistance as well as companionship I am actually acquiring.Our company are actually succeeding aboard, obtaining our job done, and talking about traits. Final night our team had a long conversation over supper regarding the value of these occasions, the possible activities to comply with, as well as what need to be actually carried out. After supper, Michael resolved telling me that every email he obtained from buddies in Russia said especially to tell me how regretful they were actually that this taken place, prolonging their acknowledgements, and asking just how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir taught me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity City. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are a lot extremely long to verbalize quickly.) Incredibly type individuals.For the final 2 times, the Russian MCC has sufficed to transmit live programs of broadcast news regarding the activity and also associated accounts, to see to it I was actually well informed. Every expert who has actually started free throw line to explain a procedure or even a trouble has at some aspect prolonged greetings to me with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that as a result of the wedding of remembrance in the US, all day people had been actually delivering flowers and edging all the wall surfaces of the US consulate in Moscow, and also this night they were actually lighting candlesticks in the road outside the consulate. Just how the globe has altered.Individuals anywhere appear to realize the senselessness and also terror in this particular assault. As well as the significant reduction. Moscow has actually coped with these type of problems in the final handful of years along with flat as well as metro bombings, so they are actually as distressed to eliminate this risk as our team are actually. But all-time low collection is actually that there are actually excellent individuals almost everywhere who intend to stay in calmness. I read through that a youngster asked, "United States is actually thus great to other countries, our experts consistently help everybody, exactly how can they dislike us a lot?".I wish the example of collaboration as well as rely on that this spacecraft and all the people in the plan display daily will sooner or later inspire the rest of the world to function similarly. They must!Sadly, we will not be piloting over the US while folks are lighting candlesticks. Do not recognize if our company could find that in any case. We carried out, however, view a quite unusual as well as lovely view a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our team were surpassing it as well as it emerged concerning three moments after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our station, so it was actually still at night. It seemed like a huge comet with a right, large tail silhouetted versus the black planet under. In spite of some poor lighting for some time as the sunshine reached our window at a low angle, I took care of some video of it as first we passed the spacecraft, and afterwards viewed it start to catch up as it obtained elevation as well as speed. I filmed till primary engine cutoff and also booster splitting up happened equally as we came close to dawn on the Himalayas. A remarkable attraction in an extraordinary full week ...Lifestyle happens, also precede. We're below to remain ... Frank.