.Publisher's Keep in mind: The complying with is the content of a character coming from Trip Three Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), reviewing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't written significantly regarding specifics of the purpose in the course of the month I've been actually here, generally for two factors: the very first being that there has actually been actually quite little bit of time to accomplish that sort of composing, and also the second thing is due to the fact that I am actually uncertain just how pleasant I am actually discussing thought and feelings I provide family and friends along with the rest of the world.Well, obviously the planet transformed today. What I claim or perform is extremely minor contrasted to the implication of what took place to our country today when it was actually struck through ... through whom? Terrorists is actually all we know, I guess. Challenging to recognize at whom to drive our temper as well as anxiety ...I had just ended up a variety of tasks this morning, one of the most lengthy being the physical examinations of all crew members. In an exclusive conversation following that, the air travel doctor told me they were actually having a really poor time on the ground. I had no tip ...He described the scenario to me as greatest he knew it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually thrown for a loop, after that frightened. My initial thought was actually that this had not been an actual talk, that I was still paying attention to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely really did not seem feasible on this scale in our nation. I could not also think of the details, also just before the news of more damage began can be found in.Vladimir came by quite quickly, sensing that something very major was being actually explained. I waved Michael in to the module also. They were also amazed and also stunned. After we authorized off, I tried to explain to Vladimir and also Michael as greatest I might the possible enormity of this act of fear in midtown Manhattan and at the Government. They accurately knew as well as were actually extremely understanding.I eyed the World Map on the pc to view where over the planet our company were actually and discovered that our company were actually coming southeast out of Canada as well as would be passing over New England in a couple of minutes. I zipped around the terminal till I located a window that will provide me a sight of NYC and got hold of the nearest video camera. It occurred to become a video camera, as well as I was actually looking south coming from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke appeared to possess a weird blossom to it at the bottom of the column that was streaming south of the city. After going through one of the newspaper article our team just got, I believe our team were taking a look at NY around the time of, or even not long after, the failure of the second tower. How horrible ...I panned the camera during the East Shoreline to the south to view if I could find some other smoke cigarettes around Washington, or anywhere else, yet absolutely nothing was visible.It was actually rather difficult to deal with work after that, though our team possessed some to do, however on the following orbit our company crossed the United States additional southern. All three of us were functioning 1 or 2 electronic cameras to make an effort to acquire perspectives of Nyc or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no particular source could be seen. All of it appeared amazing coming from 2 to 3 hundred kilometers away. I can't visualize the awful scenes on the ground.Aside from the emotional effect of our country being tackled as well as thousands of our consumers and perhaps some good friends being actually killed, one of the most difficult emotion being actually where I am actually is one of seclusion.Next time ... I suspect the tiredness as well as emotional stress obtained the most effective of me. I couldn't keep awake and also continue to create. Today was still hard, yet our team began getting additional info, plus our experts had the tribute of speaking straight with the Facility Director, Roy Estess, who ensured our company that the ground groups would continue to function and ensure our safety and security, along with the risk-free operation of the Place. Our experts likewise heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, that included that the companions in the Plan are actually all entirely dedicated to carrying on risk-free procedures as well as help. These were actually never questions for me. I understand all these folks! The ground groups have actually been actually unbelievably encouraging, quite understanding of the effect of the headlines, and also have tried to become as handy as possible. They have all been actually quite qualified and concentrated though I can't imagine the disturbance of the type of information can be found in as well as the thought that federal government structures might be in danger. They never ever bypassed a beat, even when relocating control centers. And a team of senior staffs as well as pals offered our team a rather in depth instruction about what was actually recognized and also what was actually being done in the federal government and also at NASA on Tuesday afternoon, which was actually really practical and kind of all of them to carry out in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has likewise been actually supportive as well as useful, trying to uplink newspaper article when our own assets were inoperable, as well as pointing out kind words ...My crewmates have been great, also. They know it's been a hard day for me and also the individuals on the ground, and also they've attempted to become as also keeled and also helpful as feasible. Michael also fixed me my beloved Borscht soup for dinner. And they provide me lots of room to assume when I needed it. They are quite sympathetic as well as of course shocked at whoever will do this.I understand plenty of individuals in Washington, a lot of individuals who travel to DC and NYC, numerous who are pilots, that I really felt certain I would certainly acquire at the very least a few items of problem over the next few days. I acquired the first one today when I knew that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that reached the Government was Chic Burlingame, a classmate of mine. I encountered Chic during cadet summer season when we remained in the D&B with each other, and our company had bunches of training class together. I can not picture what he needs to of gone through, and now I hear that he might have risen even more than our company can easily even think of through potentially stopping his airplane from being actually the one to deal with the White House. What a dreadful reduction, however I'm sure Chic was fighting fearlessly throughout. As well as tears don't flow the same in space ...It's tough to define just how it experiences to become the only United States completely off the world each time such as this. The feeling that I need to be there along with each one of you, taking care of this, helping in some way, is difficult. I know that our team perform the limit (or beyond) of a horrendous change in the background of the planet. Several factors will definitely never be the same once more after September 11, 2001. Not simply for the 1000s and countless folks straight influenced through these horrendous acts of violence, however possibly for everybody. Our company are going to find our own selves experiencing in a different way regarding dozens of points, consisting of most likely space exploration, unfortunately.It's horrible to find smoke putting coming from wounds in your very own nation coming from such a great vantage point. The duality of performing a space probe committed to strengthening live on the planet and also seeing lifestyle being actually destroyed by such witting, horrible acts is actually jolting to the mind, regardless of who you are. As well as the understanding that every little thing will be various than when our team launched by the opportunity we land is a little disconcerting. I believe in our country and in our leadership that we will certainly do every thing possible to much better shield her as well as our families, as well as to bring compensation for what has actually been performed. I have confidence that the good folks at NASA will definitely perform every thing important to continue our objective securely as well as return our company safely and securely at the right time. And also I skip each one of you very much. I can not exist with you in person, and also our experts have a very long way to head to accomplish our purpose, however be actually specific that my heart is actually with you, and recognize you are in my petitions.Humbly, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the last letter ... The good news is, it's been a hectic week up right here. And to verify that, like our country, we are continuing our desired course with organization as usual (as long as achievable). Tonight the latest enhancement to the station, the Russian Docking Area will certainly be actually introduced from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Saturday night (US time), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a slot never made use of before on the nadir side of the Solution Element. This new module will certainly provide us one more area to dock an Improvement or even Soyuz as well as will give a big airlock with two useable hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan fits, which our experts will certainly do a few of prior to our experts return.The problem just before in handling today was actually inadequate updates. The problem now is actually way too much. It came simultaneously when e-mail was rejuvenated, and also there is actually insufficient time to review everything! Plus it is actually too challenging to handle all of it simultaneously. Yet I cherish getting it, and I truly value the fantastic letters of support and also companionship I am actually acquiring.Our team are actually doing well aboard, obtaining our job done, as well as referring to factors. Last evening we had a lengthy discussion over supper concerning the implication of these events, the achievable activities to comply with, and also what need to be performed. After dinner, Michael challenged informing me that every e-mail he obtained coming from buddies in Russia mentioned primarily to tell me just how sorry they were actually that this taken place, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as inquiring how I was carrying out. Vladimir showed me the Russian phrase for "acknowledgements" after speaking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Area. (Both the Russian as well as the English phrases are considerably extremely long to verbalize simply.) Really type folks.For the last two days, the Russian MCC has been good enough to broadcast real-time broadcasts of radio updates concerning the occasion as well as associated tales, to see to it I was well educated. Every professional that has started free throw line to discuss a method or even a problem has at some aspect expanded greetings to me with kind phrases. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our company that due to the wedding of remembrance in the US, throughout the day people had actually been carrying florals as well as lining all the wall surfaces of the US consular office in Moscow, as well as this night they were actually igniting candle lights in the street outside the consular office. Just how the globe has actually altered.Folks everywhere seem to acknowledge the senselessness and scary in this particular assault. And the incredible reduction. Moscow has actually managed these type of troubles in the last handful of years with flat and subway battles, so they are as anxious to get rid of this threat as our team are. However the bottom product line is that there are actually really good folks all over who would like to live in tranquility. I read that a youngster talked to, "The United States is so excellent to other nations, our experts consistently assist everybody, how can they loathe us a great deal?".I wish the example of participation and rely on that this space probe and all individuals in the course demonstrate daily are going to one day encourage the remainder of the planet to function similarly. They must!However, our team won't be piloting over the United States during the time folks are actually lighting candle lights. Do not understand if we can view that anyway. We performed, nevertheless, view an extremely uncommon and wonderful view a handful of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz enhancer. Our company were actually eclipsing it as well as it came into view about three minutes after its own launch from Baikonur as the sun hit our terminal, so it was still at night. It appeared like a huge comet along with a directly, large tail silhouetted against the dark earth beneath. In spite of some poor lighting fixtures for a while as the sunshine struck our window at a reduced perspective, I handled some video recording of it as to begin with our experts passed the spacecraft, and then saw it start to mesmerize as it obtained height and also speed. I recorded up until primary engine deadline and also enhancer separation occurred equally as our experts approached dawn on the Himalayas. An unforgettable attraction in an extraordinary full week ...Lifestyle goes on, also precede. Our experts're listed below to remain ... Frank.