.Editor's Keep in mind: The adhering to is actually the message of a character from Exploration Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), assessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't composed quite about specifics of the objective during the course of the month I've been listed below, primarily for two factors: the first being that there has actually been incredibly little bit of opportunity to accomplish that type of writing, and also furthermore, due to the fact that I'm not sure how relaxed I am actually discussing thoughts I show to family and friends with the remainder of the globe.Effectively, definitely the world transformed today. What I claim or do is actually extremely slight matched up to the significance of what happened to our country today when it was actually assaulted through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is all we know, I guess. Challenging to understand at whom to drive our anger and also fear ...I had actually simply ended up an amount of jobs this morning, the most taxing being the physical examinations of all staff participants. In a personal chat observing that, the tour plastic surgeon informed me they were having an incredibly bad day on the ground. I had no idea ...He defined the condition to me as finest he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was astonished, then frightened. My initial notion was actually that this had not been an actual chat, that I was still listening to some of my Tom Clancy tapes. It just really did not seem to be possible on this scale in our nation. I could not even imagine the details, also just before the information of more damage started being available in.Vladimir came by rather swiftly, noticing that something extremely significant was actually being actually discussed. I swayed Michael in to the element too. They were actually additionally blown away and also stunned. After we authorized off, I tried to describe to Vladimir and Michael as greatest I can the possible magnitude of this particular act of terror in downtown Manhattan and also at the Government. They precisely understood and also were quite sympathetic.I browsed the World Map on the pc to observe where over the world we were actually as well as observed that our company were actually happening southeast away from Canada and would certainly be overlooking New England in a couple of moments. I whized around the station until I found a window that would offer me a scenery of New York City as well as took hold of the nearby electronic camera. It took place to become a camera, and also I was appearing south coming from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to be to possess an odd blossom to it at the base of the pillar that was actually streaming south of the metropolitan area. After checking out among the newspaper article we only acquired, I believe we were actually examining NY around the amount of time of, or even quickly after, the collapse of the second high rise. Exactly how awful ...I swept the electronic camera the whole time the East Coast to the south to find if I can view every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing at all was visible.It was rather hard to think about work afterwards, though our team possessed some to accomplish, yet on the upcoming orbit our team crossed the US additional southern. All 3 of us were actually functioning one or two video cameras to try to receive perspectives of The big apple or even Washington. There was fog over Washington, however no details resource might be seen. It all appeared awesome from 2 to 3 hundred miles away. I can not envision the unfortunate scenes on the ground.Aside from the emotional impact of our nation being attacked and hundreds of our consumers as well as possibly some close friends being gotten rid of, one of the most difficult sensation being where I am is one of seclusion.Next time ... I suspect the fatigue and also psychological pressure obtained the most effective of me. I could not stay awake and continue to write. Today was actually still tough, yet our team began receiving more details, plus our experts possessed the tribute of talking straight with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who ensured our team that the ground staffs would continue to work and ensure our safety, along with the risk-free operation of the Place. Our team likewise spoke with our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the Course are actually all totally committed to continuing secure procedures and also assistance. These were actually certainly never inquiries for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground teams have been actually surprisingly helpful, very understanding of the impact of the updates, and also have actually tried to be as handy as feasible. They have all been quite professional as well as centered though I can't visualize the distraction of this sort of news being available in and the thought and feelings that federal government structures could be vulnerable. They certainly never bypassed a beat, also when moving nerve center. As well as a group of elderly workers as well as close friends offered our company a fairly detailed briefing about what was actually understood and also what was actually being actually done in the authorities and at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was really practical and also type of them to perform in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has also been supporting as well as handy, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our own assets were unusable, and also stating kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been actually terrific, as well. They know it is actually been actually a hard day for me as well as the individuals on the ground, and also they've tried to become as even keeled and valuable as achievable. Michael even corrected me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And also they offer me loads of space to assume when I required it. They are actually very compassionate and also naturally outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I understand numerous individuals in Washington, many people who journey to DC and New York City, a lot of who are aviators, that I experienced certain I will acquire a minimum of a few parts of bad news over the next handful of days. I acquired the 1st one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I encountered Chic throughout plebe summertime when our team remained in the D&B all together, and our experts possessed great deals of classes together. I can not visualize what he has to of gone through, and also now I listen to that he may possess risen additionally than our company can easily even consider by possibly stopping his aircraft coming from being actually the one to tackle the White House. What an awful loss, but I make certain Chic was combating bravely to the end. As well as rips don't circulate the same in space ...It's tough to define how it really feels to be the only American entirely off the planet each time such as this. The emotion that I must be there along with all of you, managing this, helping in some way, is frustrating. I recognize that our team are on the threshold (or even beyond) of a dreadful switch in the past of the world. A lot of points are going to never ever be the same again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the 1000s and also hundreds of individuals directly affected by these horrible process of terrorism, but possibly for everybody. We will certainly discover ourselves experiencing differently regarding loads of factors, including most likely room exploration, unfortunately.It's awful to observe smoke putting coming from wounds in your personal country coming from such an awesome angle. The duality of performing a space capsule dedicated to improving live on the planet as well as enjoying lifestyle being ruined through such premeditated, dreadful process is actually jolting to the mind, despite who you are actually. And also the know-how that everything will be actually different than when our experts launched by the opportunity our experts land is a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and also in our leadership that our experts will certainly carry out whatever feasible to far better shield her as well as our families, and also to take compensation wherefore has been actually done. I possess assurance that the really good individuals at NASA will definitely perform whatever necessary to proceed our mission carefully and return our company safely at the right time. And I overlook every one of you significantly. I can't be there with you in person, as well as our company have a long way to head to finish our mission, but be particular that my heart is actually with you, and know you are in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the last letter ... Fortunately, it's been an occupied week up below. As well as to prove that, like our country, we are continuing on our designated pathway with company customarily (as much as possible). Tonight the most recent enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Compartment will certainly be released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday evening (United States opportunity), it will definitely dock along with our company, at a port never utilized before on the nadir edge of the Solution Element. This brand-new component will certainly give us another area to dock a Progression or even Soyuz as well as are going to supply a big airlock along with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our experts will definitely do a few of prior to we get back.The issue prior to in taking care of this week was actually insufficient headlines. The issue today is excessive. It arrived simultaneously when e-mail was brought back, and also there is actually inadequate opportunity to read all of it! Plus it's too tough to handle all of it at the same time. However I enjoy obtaining it, as well as I actually enjoy the terrific characters of assistance and friendship I am actually acquiring.Our experts are succeeding on board, getting our work carried out, as well as speaking about things. Final evening our company possessed a long discussion over supper concerning the significance of these celebrations, the achievable activities to follow, and what need to be actually done. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every e-mail he got coming from pals in Russia said especially to tell me exactly how regretful they were that this occurred, expanding their acknowledgements, and inquiring how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir taught me the Russian word for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Superstar Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English terms are actually considerably extremely long to verbalize quickly.) Very types people.For the last pair of times, the Russian MCC has actually been good enough to send live shows of broadcast news concerning the activity as well as connected tales, to see to it I was properly educated. Every professional who has come on free throw line to explain a treatment or even a complication has at some aspect stretched greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that because of the special day of recognition in the US, all day people had actually been carrying blooms and also lining all the wall structures of the US consular office in Moscow, as well as this evening they were igniting candlesticks in the street outside the consulate. How the globe has changed.Folks anywhere seem to acknowledge the senselessness and also scary in this strike. And the significant reduction. Moscow has actually taken care of these kind of problems in the final few years along with apartment as well as metro battles, so they are as anxious to do away with this threat as we are. However the bottom product line is actually that there are actually excellent folks just about everywhere that intend to reside in peace. I read through that a youngster talked to, "The United States is so great to other countries, our experts consistently help everyone, exactly how can they hate our company so much?".I wish the example of teamwork and leave that this spacecraft plus all people in the program demonstrate daily are going to sooner or later encourage the remainder of the world to work similarly. They must!Sadly, our company will not be piloting over the US while individuals are igniting candles. Don't know if our experts might find that anyhow. Our experts carried out, nonetheless, observe a really unique as well as lovely attraction a handful of mins ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz booster. Our team were surpassing it and it emerged concerning three mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine struck our station, so it was still at night. It looked like a huge comet with a right, vast tail silhouetted versus the dark planet underneath. Regardless of some negative lighting for a while as the sunlight struck our home window at a low angle, I dealt with some online video of it as initially our experts passed the rocket, and then watched it start to mesmerize as it got elevation and also speed. I filmed till main motor cutoff and enhancer splitting up happened equally we approached sunrise on the Mountain ranges. An unforgettable attraction in a remarkable week ...Lifestyle happens, also in space. Our team're listed here to remain ... Frank.