.Publisher's Keep in mind: The adhering to is actually the text of a character coming from Trip 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Retired), assessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not written very much regarding specifics of this particular objective in the course of the month I have actually been listed here, mainly for 2 reasons: the initial being that there has actually been actually incredibly little bit of opportunity to accomplish that type of composing, and the second thing is because I am actually unsure just how pleasant I am actually sharing thought and feelings I share with family and friends along with the rest of the world.Properly, undoubtedly the globe modified today. What I point out or even perform is actually really small contrasted to the implication of what took place to our country today when it was assaulted through ... through whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I guess. Hard to recognize at whom to guide our anger as well as concern ...I had merely finished a variety of tasks this morning, the best taxing being actually the physical exams of all crew members. In an exclusive talk complying with that, the flight surgeon told me they were actually having a really bad day on the ground. I had no tip ...He explained the situation to me as finest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually astonished, after that terrified. My very first notion was that this wasn't an actual talk, that I was still listening to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It only didn't seem to be achievable on this incrustation in our country. I could not even visualize the particulars, also just before the news of further damage began being available in.Vladimir dropped in quite rapidly, picking up that one thing really major was actually being actually reviewed. I swung Michael into the module as well. They were additionally surprised and stunned. After our experts authorized off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir as well as Michael as best I could possibly the potential enormity of the act of fear in downtown Manhattan and also at the Pentagon. They plainly comprehended as well as were quite supportive.I eyed the Globe Chart on the pc to find where over the world our team were actually as well as observed that our team were actually happening southeast out of Canada and also would be passing over New England in a handful of mins. I zoomed around the station up until I found a window that will offer me a scenery of NYC and got the nearest camera. It happened to become a camera, as well as I was actually appearing south from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke appeared to have a strange bloom to it at the base of the column that was actually streaming south of the city. After going through one of the newspaper article our company only got, I feel our company were actually checking out NY around the time of, or even shortly after, the collapse of the second tower. How dreadful ...I swept the video camera all along the East Coast to the south to observe if I might find every other smoke around Washington, or even anywhere else, but absolutely nothing was visible.It was pretty complicated to deal with job after that, though our company possessed some to carry out, however on the upcoming orbit our experts went across the United States more south. All three of us were actually working one or two cameras to attempt to acquire views of New York or even Washington. There was actually fog over Washington, yet no particular source could be observed. Everything looked incredible from a couple of hundred miles away. I can not picture the awful scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental effect of our nation being tackled and lots of our residents and also perhaps some good friends being actually gotten rid of, one of the most difficult emotion being where I am actually is among isolation.Following day ... I suppose the exhaustion and also mental tension received the very best of me. I couldn't keep awake as well as continue to compose. Today was still challenging, but we began obtaining more details, plus we possessed the respect of chatting straight along with the Center Supervisor, Roy Estess, that assured our team that the ground crews will continue to operate and also ensure our safety and security, and also the secure function of the Station. Our experts additionally learnt through our Administrator, Mr. Goldin, who added that the partners in the Plan are actually all entirely dedicated to proceeding secure procedures and help. These were actually certainly never concerns for me. I know all these people! The ground teams have actually been unbelievably encouraging, extremely understanding of the impact of the headlines, and also have tried to become as handy as achievable. They have all been actually really expert and also focused though I can not imagine the interruption of this type of news can be found in as well as the idea that federal government properties could be in danger. They certainly never skipped a beat, also when relocating control centers. And a group of elderly personnel and also pals offered our team a fairly extensive briefing on what was understood as well as what was actually being carried out in the authorities and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was very valuable and also sort of them to do in the midst of all the chaos. The Russian TsUP has also been actually supporting and also helpful, trying to uplink news articles when our own resources were actually inoperable, and also stating kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been great, too. They understand it is actually been a hard day for me and also the people on the ground, and they've tried to become as also keeled as well as useful as possible. Michael also corrected me my favored Borscht soup for supper. And they give me lots of space to believe when I required it. They are actually really understanding as well as of course shocked at whoever would perform this.I understand a lot of folks in Washington, so many individuals who take a trip to DC and New York City, numerous that are aviators, that I felt certain I would certainly receive at least a handful of pieces of problem over the upcoming handful of times. I obtained the initial one today when I learned that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that hit the Government was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I found Chic during the course of cadet summer when our team were in the D&B together, and our experts had bunches of lessons together. I can't picture what he needs to of undergone, and right now I hear that he might possess risen even more than our experts can easily also consider by probably preventing his airplane from being actually the one to deal with the White Property. What a dreadful loss, however I make certain Chic was actually battling fearlessly throughout. And rips do not flow the exact same in space ...It's complicated to define exactly how it experiences to be the only American completely off the planet at once such as this. The emotion that I must exist along with each one of you, dealing with this, helping in some way, is difficult. I recognize that our team perform the limit (or even beyond) of a horrible switch in the record of the world. Many things will definitely never be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Not only for the manies thousand as well as countless folks straight affected through these ghastly process of violence, but possibly for everyone. Our experts will discover ourselves really feeling in a different way concerning loads of things, consisting of perhaps space exploration, however.It's dreadful to see smoke putting from injuries in your own country coming from such an awesome perspective. The dichotomy of performing a space probe dedicated to enhancing everyday life on the planet as well as watching lifestyle being damaged by such unforced, horrible acts is jolting to the subconscious, no matter who you are actually. And also the knowledge that every thing will certainly be different than when we introduced by the time we land is a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our nation as well as in our management that our company will certainly do every little thing feasible to better protect her and our family members, as well as to deliver justice of what has been done. I have confidence that the great folks at NASA will certainly do every thing required to proceed our objective securely as well as return our team safely and securely at the correct time. As well as I miss out on all of you significantly. I can not exist along with you in person, and also we possess a long way to visit complete our mission, however be actually specific that my center is with you, and recognize you are in my prayers.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An upgrade to the final character ... Thankfully, it is actually been an occupied week up listed below. As well as to confirm that, like our country, our experts are actually continuing on our planned course with company customarily (as much as achievable). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will definitely be launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday evening (US time), it is going to dock along with our company, at a slot never ever used just before on the low point edge of the Solution Module. This new element will certainly provide us one more place to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also will certainly supply a sizable airlock along with 2 able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan satisfies, which our experts will definitely carry out a few of before our company get back.The problem prior to in handling today was actually inadequate news. The concern now is a lot of. It arrived simultaneously when email was actually brought back, and also there's inadequate time to read all of it! Plus it is actually as well difficult to take care of all of it at once. However I enjoy acquiring it, and I definitely value the fantastic letters of assistance and also relationship I am actually receiving.Our team are doing well aboard, receiving our job performed, and also talking about traits. Final evening we had a long dialogue over supper about the value of these events, the feasible actions to adhere to, as well as what must be actually done. After dinner, Michael resolved telling me that every email he got from buddies in Russia mentioned primarily to inform me just how sorry they were actually that this taken place, stretching their condolences, and also talking to how I was actually carrying out. Vladimir educated me the Russian word for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Urban area. (Both the Russian and the English phrases are much extremely lengthy to pronounce simply.) Quite types individuals.For the last two days, the Russian MCC has been good enough to broadcast online programs of broadcast news about the celebration as well as connected stories, to be sure I was well notified. Every specialist that has actually begun free throw line to cover a treatment or a concern has at some point expanded hellos to me with kind terms. Tonight the Russian capcom told our company that as a result of the special day of recognition in the United States, all the time individuals had been actually taking florals as well as edging all the walls of the United States consulate in Moscow, as well as this night they were lighting candles in the street outside the consular office. How the globe has actually altered.People anywhere seem to realize the senselessness as well as scary in this particular attack. And also the significant loss. Moscow has taken care of these kind of issues in the last handful of years with home and train bombings, so they are actually as troubled to do away with this hazard as we are. But the bottom product line is actually that there are really good people all over that intend to stay in calmness. I review that a little one talked to, "America is therefore great to other nations, our experts constantly help every person, just how can they detest our team a lot?".I hope the instance of collaboration and also depend on that this space capsule and all people in the plan illustrate daily will at some point motivate the rest of the planet to operate similarly. They must!Sadly, our team won't be actually flying over the United States during the time folks are lighting candle lights. Don't recognize if our company could possibly see that anyhow. We did, nevertheless, observe an incredibly unique and wonderful sight a few moments ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were eclipsing it and also it came into view concerning three mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine reached our terminal, so it was still unaware. It appeared like a huge comet along with a straight, wide rear silhouetted against the dark planet underneath. Despite some bad lighting fixtures for a while as the sunshine struck our window at a low position, I managed some online video of it as first our company passed the rocket, and afterwards enjoyed it start to catch up as it acquired altitude as well as velocity. I shot until main engine cutoff as well as enhancer splitting up took place just like our team moved toward daybreak on the Himalayas. An unforgettable attraction in an extraordinary week ...Life goes on, even precede. Our experts're listed here to keep ... Frank.