.Publisher's Note: The following is actually the text of a character from Exploration 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), reassessing the celebrations of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created very much concerning specifics of this particular mission during the course of the month I've been actually here, mainly for two causes: the initial being actually that there has actually been quite little bit of opportunity to accomplish that kind of writing, and also second of all given that I'm unsure just how pleasant I am discussing notions I share with friends and family along with the remainder of the globe.Well, obviously the world altered today. What I state or even perform is actually quite minor reviewed to the value of what occurred to our country today when it was actually struck by ... by whom? Terrorists is all we know, I think. Tough to recognize at whom to direct our anger as well as fear ...I had simply completed an amount of duties this morning, the most time-consuming being the physical exams of all staff members. In an exclusive conversation following that, the trip doctor informed me they were having a quite negative time on the ground. I had no tip ...He explained the condition to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually shocked, after that terrified. My first idea was actually that this wasn't an actual chat, that I was actually still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely really did not seem to be achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I could not also imagine the details, even before the news of additional destruction started coming in.Vladimir came by quite promptly, sensing that one thing quite significant was actually being actually explained. I swayed Michael in to the element as well. They were also impressed and also stunned. After our team authorized off, I tried to reveal to Vladimir as well as Michael as absolute best I can the prospective measurement of this particular act of terror in downtown New york and also at the Pentagon. They clearly knew and were actually extremely supportive.I browsed the Planet Chart on the pc to find where over the planet we were actually as well as saw that our experts were happening southeast away from Canada and also would be actually overlooking New England in a few minutes. I zipped around the station till I found a window that would certainly offer me a sight of New York City and nabbed the closest video camera. It took place to become a camera, and also I was actually appearing south from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to possess an odd bloom to it at the base of the pillar that was streaming south of the city. After reading some of the news articles we merely got, I feel we were actually checking out NY around the amount of time of, or not long after, the collapse of the second high rise. Exactly how dreadful ...I panned the cam the whole time the East Coastline to the south to observe if I might see every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, but absolutely nothing showed up.It was fairly challenging to deal with work after that, though our team possessed some to do, however on the next orbit our team went across the US further southern. All three of us were working one or two cameras to attempt to obtain viewpoints of New york city or even Washington. There was haze over Washington, however no details source might be seen. All of it looked fabulous coming from a couple of hundred kilometers away. I can't visualize the tragic scenes on the ground.Apart from the mental influence of our nation being actually tackled and also hundreds of our consumers and possibly some pals being actually killed, the most difficult feeling being actually where I am is just one of isolation.Upcoming time ... I reckon the fatigue as well as psychological strain got the best of me. I could not stay awake as well as continue to write. Today was actually still tough, yet our company started obtaining more relevant information, plus our company had the honor of talking straight along with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who assured us that the ground staffs would certainly remain to function as well as guarantee our protection, along with the secure procedure of the Station. Our team likewise spoke with our Manager, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the Course are actually all totally devoted to carrying on secure functions as well as support. These were actually never questions for me. I recognize all these people! The ground staffs have been unbelievably encouraging, quite understanding of the impact of the headlines, and have made an effort to be as useful as possible. They have all been actually quite professional and also concentrated though I can not imagine the diversion of this particular sort of headlines being available in as well as the thought and feelings that authorities buildings may be in danger. They certainly never missed a beat, even when transferring nerve center. As well as a team of senior workers and pals provided us a quite thorough briefing on what was actually recognized and what was actually being done in the federal government as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was actually incredibly useful and also kind of them to carry out in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has additionally been actually encouraging as well as valuable, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our very own resources were actually inoperable, and saying kind words ...My crewmates have been actually wonderful, too. They understand it's been a difficult day for me and also the people on the ground, and also they have actually attempted to become as even keeled as well as valuable as achievable. Michael even corrected me my favorite Borscht soup for supper. And they give me plenty of room to believe when I needed it. They are actually very sympathetic as well as naturally outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I understand numerous individuals in Washington, so many individuals who take a trip to DC as well as New York City, many who are actually aviators, that I experienced sure I will get at least a handful of items of problem over the upcoming few days. I obtained the initial one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that reached the Government was actually Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic during the course of plebe summer when we were in the D&B with each other, and our team had great deals of lessons together. I can not envision what he needs to of looked at, and also now I hear that he may have increased even more than we can easily even think of through probably avoiding his aircraft from being the one to attack the White Residence. What a dreadful loss, but I ensure Chic was fighting fearlessly throughout. As well as tears do not circulate the same precede ...It's hard to describe exactly how it feels to become the only American fully off the earth each time like this. The feeling that I should be there along with every one of you, handling this, assisting somehow, is actually difficult. I know that our team are on the limit (or past) of a terrible change in the past history of the world. Many traits will definitely never ever coincide again after September 11, 2001. Not merely for the 1000s and 1000s of individuals straight had an effect on through these ghastly actions of violence, but possibly for all of us. Our experts will locate our own selves experiencing in different ways about loads of factors, featuring perhaps room expedition, unfortunately.It's terrible to see smoke cigarettes putting coming from injuries in your own country coming from such an amazing point of view. The duality of being on a space probe dedicated to strengthening life on the planet and also watching life being actually damaged by such intentional, horrendous process is jolting to the psyche, regardless of who you are. As well as the knowledge that whatever are going to be actually various than when our experts introduced by the opportunity we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation and also in our leadership that our experts will definitely perform every little thing achievable to much better safeguard her and our families, and to carry fair treatment of what has actually been actually carried out. I have confidence that the excellent individuals at NASA are going to carry out every thing important to continue our purpose safely and securely and return our company securely at the right time. And also I skip each of you quite. I can not exist with you personally, as well as our experts possess a long way to visit complete our goal, but be actually particular that my soul is actually with you, and know you are in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last character ... Luckily, it is actually been an active full week up below. As well as to show that, like our country, our company are actually advancing our designated pathway along with organization as usual (as much as feasible). Tonight the most recent addition to the place, the Russian Docking Chamber are going to be released from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (United States time), it will dock with our team, at a slot never used prior to on the nadir side of the Company Component. This new element will definitely offer our team yet another location to dock a Progress or even Soyuz and also will certainly supply a large airlock along with pair of useable hatches for administering EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our experts are going to carry out a few of just before our experts get home.The problem prior to in dealing with recently was actually insufficient headlines. The concern now is too much. It came simultaneously when email was brought back, and also there's not nearly enough time to read everything! Plus it's also difficult to cope with all of it simultaneously. Yet I value acquiring it, as well as I really enjoy the wonderful characters of help as well as friendship I am acquiring.Our company are prospering aboard, getting our work carried out, and talking about things. Final night our company had a lengthy conversation over supper about the implication of these occasions, the achievable actions to follow, as well as what ought to be actually carried out. After supper, Michael challenged informing me that every e-mail he got coming from good friends in Russia pointed out exclusively to tell me how sorry they were actually that this taken place, stretching their condolences, and inquiring just how I was doing. Vladimir educated me the Russian term for "acknowledgements" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Urban area. (Both the Russian and also the English words are actually much too lengthy to pronounce effortlessly.) Really kind people.For the last 2 times, the Russian MCC has sufficed to broadcast online programs of broadcast information regarding the celebration and also connected stories, to see to it I was effectively notified. Every professional who has actually started the line to go over a method or even a concern has at some aspect expanded greetings to me along with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the wedding day of recognition in the United States, all day individuals had actually been actually bringing blooms and also lining all the wall structures of the United States consulate in Moscow, and also this night they were lighting candlesticks in the road outside the embassy. Exactly how the planet has actually changed.Folks all over appear to realize the senselessness and also terror in this particular strike. As well as the tremendous loss. Moscow has handled these sort of concerns in the final few years with apartment or condo and metro bombings, so they are as distressed to get rid of this risk as we are. But the bottom line is actually that there are actually excellent people everywhere that desire to stay in calmness. I check out that a youngster asked, "America is so excellent to other nations, our experts regularly help everyone, exactly how can they loathe our team a great deal?".I wish the instance of cooperation and trust fund that this spacecraft plus all people in the course show daily will someday motivate the rest of the planet to operate the same way. They must!Regrettably, our company will not be flying over the United States during the time folks are lighting candles. Do not know if our company might observe that in any case. Our company carried out, nevertheless, view a really uncommon and also gorgeous view a couple of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually eclipsing it as well as it emerged concerning three minutes after its launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight struck our station, so it was still at night. It resembled a sizable comet with a directly, wide tail silhouetted against the black planet underneath. Regardless of some poor illumination for some time as the sun attacked our window at a reduced perspective, I handled some video of it as to begin with our team passed the spacecraft, and after that watched it begin to catch up as it obtained height and also speed. I recorded until primary engine cutoff and booster separation happened just like our team moved toward daybreak on the Himalayas. An extraordinary sight in a remarkable full week ...Life takes place, even precede. Our company are actually right here to stay ... Frank.