.Publisher's Note: The following is the content of a letter from Exploration Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), reassessing the occasions of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written very much about specifics of the mission during the course of the month I have actually been here, generally for 2 main reasons: the first being actually that there has been quite little time to accomplish that sort of creating, and also due to the fact that I am actually not sure just how comfy I am discussing notions I share with friends and family with the rest of the world.Effectively, definitely the world transformed today. What I state or even perform is extremely small compared to the importance of what took place to our country today when it was attacked by ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we know, I reckon. Hard to understand at whom to drive our temper as well as concern ...I had simply finished a variety of activities this morning, the best taxing being the physical examinations of all crew participants. In a personal conversation observing that, the air travel specialist informed me they were having a really poor day on the ground. I possessed no tip ...He explained the circumstance to me as finest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was stunned, then terrified. My initial thought and feelings was actually that this wasn't an actual talk, that I was actually still listening closely to some of my Tom Clancy strips. It simply really did not seem achievable on this incrustation in our nation. I couldn't also envision the particulars, even just before the information of additional destruction began can be found in.Vladimir came by quite quickly, noticing that one thing really severe was actually being explained. I waved Michael right into the element also. They were likewise impressed and also stunned. After we authorized off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir and Michael as best I could the prospective immensity of this particular show of horror in midtown New york and at the Government. They precisely understood as well as were very considerate.I glanced at the Planet Map on the pc to observe where over the planet our company were actually and also noticed that our company were actually happening southeast out of Canada and will be actually skipping New England in a couple of minutes. I zoomed around the terminal until I located a home window that will offer me a perspective of NYC as well as snatched the local video camera. It happened to be a video camera, as well as I was looking southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to be to have a weird blossom to it at the foundation of the pillar that was streaming south of the urban area. After checking out some of the newspaper article we simply received, I think our experts were actually examining NY around the moment of, or even shortly after, the failure of the 2nd tower. Just how awful ...I panned the camera the whole time the East Coast to the south to view if I can find every other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing at all showed up.It was pretty difficult to consider work after that, though our experts possessed some to carry out, however on the next track we traversed the US more southern. All 3 of us were actually operating one or two electronic cameras to make an effort to receive viewpoints of The big apple or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, but no particular source may be seen. Everything appeared incredible from a couple of hundred kilometers away. I can't imagine the terrible settings on the ground.Other than the mental effect of our country being tackled and thousands of our citizens and also perhaps some friends being actually killed, the most overwhelming feeling being actually where I am actually is one of seclusion.Next day ... I suppose the tiredness and also psychological stress obtained the very best of me. I could not keep awake and remain to compose. Today was actually still difficult, however our company started receiving more information, plus our experts had the honor of speaking straight along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, who assured our company that the ground crews will remain to function and ensure our protection, in addition to the risk-free procedure of the Place. Our team likewise talked to our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the partners in the Plan are all totally committed to proceeding safe operations and support. These were actually never ever inquiries for me. I recognize all these individuals! The ground staffs have been actually unbelievably supporting, extremely understanding of the impact of the information, and also have attempted to become as handy as feasible. They have all been very expert as well as centered though I can't envision the diversion of this particular form of news coming in and also the notion that government structures may be in danger. They never missed a beat, even when relocating control centers. And a group of senior personnel and also pals provided our company a pretty comprehensive rundown about what was recognized and what was actually being actually performed in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was incredibly beneficial and sort of them to accomplish in the middle of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been actually helpful and also helpful, attempting to uplink newspaper article when our very own resources were actually unusable, and also mentioning kind words ...My crewmates have been actually terrific, too. They understand it is actually been actually a challenging day for me and also the people on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to become as also keeled as well as practical as feasible. Michael even repaired me my preferred Borscht soup for supper. As well as they offer me plenty of area to assume when I needed it. They are really understanding and also obviously shocked at whoever will perform this.I know a lot of people in Washington, numerous individuals that take a trip to DC and New York City, so many that are aviators, that I experienced certain I will receive a minimum of a couple of parts of problem over the next handful of times. I received the initial one today when I found out that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that attacked the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a friend of mine. I met Chic during cadet summer months when we remained in the D&B with each other, and also our company possessed tons of lessons all together. I can't imagine what he should of gone through, as well as right now I hear that he might possess climbed further than we can easily also think about by possibly stopping his airplane coming from being the one to attack the White Home. What a dreadful reduction, yet I make certain Chic was battling bravely to the end. And also rips do not circulate the same in space ...It's complicated to describe exactly how it experiences to be the only United States entirely off the world each time like this. The emotion that I ought to exist along with each of you, taking care of this, assisting somehow, is frustrating. I know that our team perform the threshold (or even past) of a horrible switch in the history of the globe. Several traits will definitely never ever coincide again after September 11, 2001. Not just for the manies thousand and 1000s of folks directly affected by these ghastly actions of terrorism, yet probably for all of us. Our company will definitely locate ourselves feeling differently concerning loads of traits, including possibly space expedition, sadly.It is actually dreadful to find smoke cigarettes pouring from cuts in your personal nation from such an excellent vantage point. The dichotomy of getting on a space capsule dedicated to strengthening live on the planet and also enjoying life being destroyed through such premeditated, terrible acts is actually jolting to the subconscious, despite who you are actually. As well as the expertise that everything will certainly be different than when our experts released due to the time we land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation and also in our leadership that we will definitely do every little thing feasible to better shield her as well as our households, as well as to deliver fair treatment wherefore has actually been done. I possess assurance that the really good people at NASA will certainly do whatever important to proceed our goal safely and securely and return our company carefully at the correct time. And also I overlook each of you quite. I can not be there with you personally, and our company possess a very long way to go to finish our mission, however be specific that my center is actually along with you, and also understand you reside in my requests.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... Thankfully, it is actually been a hectic full week up below. As well as to confirm that, like our nation, we are actually advancing our intended course with service as usual (as high as achievable). Tonight the latest add-on to the place, the Russian Docking Compartment will be actually released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (United States opportunity), it will definitely dock with us, at a slot never made use of just before on the nadir edge of the Solution Component. This new module will certainly give us one more place to dock a Progression or Soyuz and are going to offer a sizable airlock with two useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our team will perform a few of before our team return.The problem prior to in taking care of recently was actually inadequate news. The complication right now is too much. It arrived at one time when email was actually brought back, and also there is actually not enough time to review everything! Plus it's also challenging to handle all of it at once. Yet I value getting it, as well as I definitely cherish the fantastic characters of assistance as well as friendship I am actually receiving.Our experts are actually succeeding aboard, getting our work performed, and also speaking about traits. Final night our company possessed a lengthy discussion over dinner regarding the importance of these events, the feasible actions to follow, and what should be actually carried out. After supper, Michael made a point of informing me that every email he got coming from good friends in Russia stated exclusively to inform me exactly how sorry they were that this occurred, stretching their acknowledgements, and talking to just how I was actually performing. Vladimir taught me the Russian word for "condolences" after consulting with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and the English words are considerably very lengthy to pronounce quickly.) Really type people.For the last two times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transmit online programs of broadcast news regarding the event as well as associated stories, to see to it I was actually effectively educated. Every expert who has come on the line to explain a technique or even a problem has at some point stretched greetings to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told us that as a result of the special day of recognition in the United States, all the time people had actually been carrying florals as well as edging all the wall surfaces of the United States embassy in Moscow, as well as this evening they were actually igniting candlesticks in the road outside the embassy. Just how the planet has modified.People anywhere seem to recognize the senselessness as well as scary within this assault. As well as the remarkable loss. Moscow has managed these sort of complications in the final handful of years with house and also subway bombings, so they are actually as restless to eliminate this risk as we are. Yet the bottom series is actually that there are actually great folks everywhere that want to stay in calmness. I read through that a youngster asked, "The United States is actually thus excellent to other nations, our company always assist everybody, just how can they dislike our company a lot?".I wish the example of cooperation and also count on that this space capsule plus all the people in the course display daily will sooner or later influence the remainder of the globe to operate the same way. They must!However, our team will not be flighting over the US during the time individuals are actually igniting candles. Don't know if our experts can observe that anyhow. Our experts performed, nevertheless, observe an extremely unique and wonderful sight a handful of minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz booster. Our experts were surpassing it and it appeared concerning 3 minutes after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunlight hit our station, so it was still at night. It seemed like a large comet along with a straight, vast rear silhouetted against the black planet beneath. In spite of some bad illumination for some time as the sunlight hit our home window at a low position, I dealt with some video clip of it as initially our experts passed the spacecraft, and afterwards enjoyed it begin to catch up as it acquired height and velocity. I shot up until principal motor deadline as well as enhancer separation happened equally as our company moved toward sunup on the Himalayas. An unforgettable attraction in an unforgettable week ...Life happens, even in space. Our company're here to keep ... Frank.