.Publisher's Details: The observing is the message of a character coming from Exploration 3 Leader Frank L. Culbertson (Leader, USN Resigned), assessing the events of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I haven't created significantly concerning specifics of the mission during the month I have actually been here, mostly for 2 factors: the initial being actually that there has been very little bit of time to accomplish that sort of creating, and also secondly since I'm not sure how comfy I am actually sharing thoughts I show friends and family along with the rest of the world.Effectively, definitely the globe changed today. What I say or even do is actually very slight reviewed to the value of what happened to our country today when it was struck by ... by whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we know, I think. Tough to understand at whom to guide our rage and worry ...I had merely completed a lot of duties today, one of the most lengthy being actually the physical exams of all team members. In a personal conversation following that, the flight cosmetic surgeon informed me they were possessing an incredibly negative time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He described the circumstance to me as absolute best he recognized it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually dumbfounded, after that terrified. My initial thought and feelings was that this had not been an actual chat, that I was actually still listening closely to one of my Tom Clancy tapes. It merely failed to seem achievable on this scale in our nation. I couldn't also imagine the particulars, even before the news of additional destruction started being available in.Vladimir came by pretty quickly, picking up that something quite significant was actually being covered. I swayed Michael right into the element at the same time. They were actually likewise impressed and also stunned. After we signed off, I tried to reveal to Vladimir and also Michael as ideal I might the potential enormity of the act of terror in downtown New york and also at the Government. They plainly comprehended and also were very thoughtful.I browsed the Planet Chart on the personal computer to see where over the world our company were and also discovered that our team were happening southeast out of Canada and will be overlooking New England in a handful of moments. I zoomed around the station until I located a window that will provide me a scenery of NYC and got hold of the local cam. It happened to become a camera, and I was actually looking southern from the home window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke cigarettes appeared to possess a weird bloom to it at the foundation of the column that was streaming south of the city. After going through some of the news articles our experts simply got, I think our company were actually examining NY around the moment of, or quickly after, the collapse of the second tower. How unpleasant ...I swung the video camera all along the East Shoreline to the south to view if I can see any other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, yet nothing at all showed up.It was actually fairly difficult to think of work afterwards, though our company had some to perform, yet on the next orbit our company traversed the United States additional southern. All 3 of us were functioning one or two cams to make an effort to receive sights of New York or Washington. There was actually haze over Washington, yet no certain source may be viewed. It all looked extraordinary coming from two to three hundred kilometers away. I can't envision the tragic settings on the ground.Besides the emotional effect of our nation being tackled and countless our residents and maybe some close friends being eliminated, the best frustrating sensation being where I am is just one of isolation.Following time ... I guess the tiredness and emotional tension received the greatest of me. I could not stay awake and remain to write. Today was actually still challenging, but our team started obtaining additional details, plus our team possessed the honor of chatting straight along with the Center Director, Roy Estess, who guaranteed us that the ground groups will continue to work and ensure our security, as well as the safe operation of the Station. Our company likewise heard from our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who incorporated that the companions in the Course are actually all completely devoted to proceeding safe functions and also help. These were never questions for me. I understand all these individuals! The ground staffs have actually been extremely supportive, incredibly understanding of the effect of the news, as well as have actually attempted to be as beneficial as achievable. They have all been actually really professional as well as centered though I can't think of the diversion of this type of headlines coming in and the notion that authorities structures could be in danger. They never ever bypassed a beat, even when moving control centers. As well as a team of senior personnel and also friends gave our company a pretty detailed briefing about what was understood as well as what was being actually carried out in the government and also at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was really useful and also type of them to perform in the midst of all the turmoil. The Russian TsUP has actually additionally been actually supporting as well as practical, attempting to uplink news articles when our own assets were actually unusable, as well as saying kind terms ...My crewmates have actually been actually excellent, too. They recognize it is actually been actually a tough time for me and the individuals on the ground, and also they have actually made an effort to be as also keeled as well as useful as feasible. Michael also corrected me my favorite Borscht soup for dinner. And also they provide me lots of space to think when I required it. They are actually quite considerate and of course shocked at whoever would do this.I know a lot of people in Washington, a lot of individuals that take a trip to DC and NYC, many that are actually flies, that I felt sure I would certainly acquire a minimum of a couple of items of problem over the next few times. I obtained the first one today when I found out that the Captain of the American Airlines jet that struck the Pentagon was actually Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic during cadet summer when we were in the D&B together, as well as our team possessed tons of courses together. I can not imagine what he must of looked at, and currently I hear that he might have increased even further than we may even consider by perhaps stopping his plane coming from being actually the one to tackle the White Property. What a horrible loss, however I'm sure Chic was battling fearlessly to the end. And splits do not flow the same precede ...It's difficult to explain exactly how it experiences to become the only American entirely off the earth at a time including this. The feeling that I should be there along with all of you, handling this, aiding somehow, is frustrating. I understand that our team are on the limit (or even beyond) of a terrible change in the background of the globe. Several things will never ever be the same once again after September 11, 2001. Certainly not merely for the thousands and 1000s of folks straight affected through these hideous process of terrorism, yet perhaps for everybody. Our company are going to find ourselves really feeling in different ways regarding loads of traits, featuring perhaps space expedition, however.It is actually dreadful to find smoke pouring from cuts in your very own country from such a great viewpoint. The duality of getting on a space probe dedicated to boosting everyday life on the earth as well as enjoying lifestyle being actually damaged through such intentional, awful actions is jolting to the psyche, regardless of who you are actually. And the know-how that whatever are going to be different than when our team introduced by the time our team land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I believe in our country and also in our leadership that our company will certainly carry out every thing possible to much better safeguard her and also our family members, and also to carry justice for what has been actually performed. I have peace of mind that the great people at NASA will carry out everything needed to proceed our purpose securely and return our company securely at the right time. As well as I miss out on every one of you significantly. I can not be there along with you face to face, as well as our experts possess a very long way to head to accomplish our mission, yet be actually certain that my heart is actually with you, and also know you reside in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An improve to the final character ... Luckily, it's been actually an occupied full week up below. As well as to show that, like our nation, our experts are actually continuing our desired pathway with organization as usual (as high as feasible). Tonight the latest add-on to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber will certainly be released coming from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (United States opportunity), it will certainly dock along with our team, at a port never made use of prior to on the low point edge of the Solution Module. This brand-new component is going to provide us yet another area to dock a Progression or Soyuz and also will supply a huge airlock with two able to be used hatches for carrying out EVA's in Russian Orlan meets, which our company will carry out a few of just before our team come home.The concern prior to in dealing with recently was actually insufficient updates. The issue right now is excessive. It arrived all at once when e-mail was recovered, and there's not enough opportunity to review all of it! Plus it is actually also challenging to manage all of it instantly. But I enjoy getting it, and I truly cherish the terrific letters of support as well as relationship I am actually acquiring.Our experts are flourishing on board, acquiring our job performed, as well as talking about things. Final night our experts had a long dialogue over supper concerning the value of these activities, the possible actions to comply with, and what should be actually carried out. After dinner, Michael made a point of informing me that every e-mail he got from friends in Russia pointed out particularly to tell me exactly how regretful they were actually that this happened, stretching their acknowledgements, as well as asking just how I was actually doing. Vladimir taught me the Russian word for "condolences" after talking to the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Star Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English terms are actually much very lengthy to verbalize effortlessly.) Very kind folks.For the last 2 days, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transfer live shows of broadcast information about the activity as well as affiliated accounts, to see to it I was actually properly educated. Every specialist who has actually begun free throw line to cover a procedure or even an issue contends some factor extended introductions to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed us that because of the wedding of remembrance in the US, throughout the day people had been taking flowers and lining all the wall surfaces of the United States consulate in Moscow, as well as this evening they were actually lighting candlesticks in the road outside the consular office. How the world has actually altered.Individuals everywhere seem to be to recognize the senselessness and terror in this particular assault. As well as the significant loss. Moscow has actually coped with these sort of complications in the final couple of years along with flat and train battles, so they are as nervous to get rid of this risk as our experts are actually. But the bottom line is that there are good individuals anywhere that wish to stay in calmness. I go through that a youngster asked, "America is actually thus excellent to other nations, our team consistently assist everyone, how can they despise us a lot?".I really hope the instance of collaboration and leave that this spacecraft plus all the people in the plan show daily will someday encourage the remainder of the planet to function similarly. They must!However, our experts will not be actually flying over the United States during the time people are actually lighting candle lights. Do not recognize if our company might find that in any case. We did, having said that, observe an incredibly unusual and stunning attraction a couple of moments ago: the launch of our Docking Chamber on a Soyuz enhancer. Our team were surpassing it and it came into view regarding three mins after its own launch coming from Baikonur as the sunshine attacked our station, so it was actually still unaware. It appeared like a sizable comet with a right, vast rear silhouetted against the darker planet underneath. Even with some poor illumination for a while as the sun hit our window at a low viewpoint, I took care of some online video of it as to begin with our team passed the rocket, and after that viewed it begin to catch up as it gained height and also rate. I filmed till major motor deadline and also enhancer splitting up developed equally our company approached sunrise on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable attraction in a memorable week ...Life goes on, even precede. Our company are actually right here to remain ... Frank.