.Publisher's Keep in mind: The observing is the text message of a character coming from Expedition Three Commander Frank L. Culbertson (Captain, USN Resigned), assessing the activities of September 11.September 12, 2001 7:34 p.m.I have not created significantly about specifics of this particular goal in the course of the month I have actually been listed below, primarily for 2 explanations: the first being actually that there has been very little bit of opportunity to carry out that kind of composing, and also secondly since I am actually unsure just how pleasant I am discussing thought and feelings I provide friends and family along with the remainder of the globe.Effectively, certainly the planet altered today. What I state or even perform is incredibly minor contrasted to the implication of what occurred to our nation today when it was actually assaulted through ... by whom? Revolutionaries is actually all we understand, I suspect. Tough to recognize at whom to route our anger as well as worry ...I had merely finished a variety of jobs today, the absolute most time-consuming being the physical exams of all staff participants. In a private chat following that, the flight plastic surgeon told me they were having an incredibly negative time on the ground. I had no suggestion ...He illustrated the scenario to me as finest he understood it at ~ 0900 CDT. I was actually made speechless, at that point horrified. My 1st thought and feelings was that this had not been an actual talk, that I was actually still listening to one of my Tom Clancy strips. It just didn't seem possible on this incrustation in our country. I couldn't also imagine the particulars, even before the news of further devastation started coming in.Vladimir dropped in fairly rapidly, noticing that something really serious was actually being actually explained. I waved Michael in to the module too. They were actually likewise astounded as well as stunned. After our company signed off, I attempted to discuss to Vladimir and also Michael as best I could possibly the potential size of the show of terror in downtown New york and also at the Pentagon. They accurately knew as well as were incredibly understanding.I browsed the World Map on the computer to observe where over the globe our company were actually and noticed that we were actually happening southeast out of Canada as well as would be actually skipping New England in a couple of mins. I zipped around the terminal until I found a window that would certainly offer me a sight of New York City as well as nabbed the closest video camera. It happened to become a video camera, and also I was looking southern from the window of Michael's log cabin.The smoke seemed to be to possess a strange bloom to it at the bottom of the column that was actually streaming south of the city. After reviewing some of the newspaper article our company merely obtained, I think we were looking at NY around the amount of time of, or shortly after, the failure of the 2nd tower. How horrible ...I scanned the camera the whole time the East Coast to the south to find if I might find some other smoke around Washington, or anywhere else, however absolutely nothing was visible.It was quite challenging to think of work after that, though our company had some to carry out, however on the upcoming orbit our company went across the US additional south. All 3 people were actually functioning one or two video cameras to attempt to get scenery of New York or even Washington. There was haze over Washington, but no specific resource can be viewed. Everything appeared unbelievable from a couple of hundred kilometers away. I can not envision the terrible scenes on the ground.Aside from the mental influence of our nation being actually dealt with as well as countless our residents and also possibly some good friends being actually killed, the most difficult feeling being where I am is one of seclusion.Next time ... I suppose the fatigue as well as psychological tension acquired the most ideal of me. I couldn't stay awake and also remain to write. Today was actually still difficult, however our team started obtaining even more information, plus our experts had the respect of chatting straight with the Center Director, Roy Estess, that assured us that the ground staffs would remain to operate and ensure our safety, in addition to the safe procedure of the Place. Our team likewise spoke with our Supervisor, Mr. Goldin, who added that the partners in the Plan are all completely dedicated to carrying on safe functions as well as assistance. These were never ever concerns for me. I recognize all these people! The ground staffs have actually been actually astonishingly encouraging, quite understanding of the impact of the updates, and have actually tried to be as valuable as achievable. They have actually all been incredibly expert as well as focused though I can not think of the interruption of the form of information can be found in as well as the thought that federal government properties may be at risk. They never ever avoided a beat, also when moving nerve center. As well as a group of elderly employees and buddies gave us a quite in depth rundown on what was actually recognized and also what was actually being carried out in the authorities as well as at NASA on Tuesday mid-day, which was quite practical as well as kind of all of them to do in the midst of all the distress. The Russian TsUP has likewise been supporting and also beneficial, trying to uplink newspaper article when our own resources were actually unusable, as well as claiming kind phrases ...My crewmates have actually been excellent, also. They know it is actually been a challenging time for me and also the folks on the ground, and they have actually made an effort to be as even keeled and also handy as feasible. Michael even corrected me my favored Borscht soup for supper. As well as they provide me plenty of space to assume when I required it. They are actually quite understanding and also certainly outraged at whoever would certainly perform this.I know numerous folks in Washington, numerous individuals who journey to DC as well as NYC, so many who are flies, that I really felt certain I will acquire a minimum of a handful of items of trouble over the upcoming handful of times. I obtained the 1st one today when I found out that the Leader of the American Airlines plane that hit the Government was Chic Burlingame, a schoolmate of mine. I met Chic during cadet summertime when our experts were in the D&B all together, as well as our company possessed tons of training class all together. I can't envision what he has to of gone through, and also now I hear that he might possess risen better than our team can even think about through perhaps preventing his plane coming from being actually the one to attack the White House. What a horrible loss, yet I ensure Chic was actually combating fearlessly throughout. And also rips don't stream the very same precede ...It's complicated to describe just how it feels to be the only United States fully off the earth at a time like this. The emotion that I must exist with every one of you, managing this, aiding somehow, is overwhelming. I understand that our experts perform the limit (or past) of a horrendous switch in the background of the globe. Several points will definitely never coincide once more after September 11, 2001. Certainly not just for the manies thousand and countless people directly affected through these horrible actions of terrorism, but probably for we all. Our team will discover ourselves feeling in different ways regarding loads of traits, featuring perhaps space exploration, regrettably.It's unpleasant to view smoke pouring coming from injuries in your personal nation from such a fantastic angle. The duality of performing a space capsule committed to boosting everyday life on the planet as well as watching lifestyle being actually damaged through such planned, horrendous acts is jolting to the psyche, no matter that you are actually. And the knowledge that whatever are going to be actually various than when we launched by the opportunity our company land is actually a little bit of disconcerting. I have confidence in our country and in our management that our company will certainly carry out every thing feasible to far better guard her and our households, as well as to deliver justice for what has actually been done. I possess confidence that the great folks at NASA will definitely carry out whatever needed to proceed our objective carefully as well as return our team safely and securely at the right time. And I overlook every one of you significantly. I can't exist along with you personally, and also our team have a very long way to head to complete our goal, yet be specific that my center is actually along with you, as well as know you reside in my requests.Submissively, Frank.September 14, 2001 10:49 p.m. An update to the final character ... The good news is, it is actually been an active week up here. And to show that, like our country, our team are continuing our designated course with business customarily (as much as achievable). Tonight the latest addition to the station, the Russian Docking Chamber are going to be actually launched from Baikonur, Kazakhstan. On Sunday night (United States time), it will dock along with our team, at a slot never utilized before on the low point edge of the Service Component. This brand-new element will provide our company another area to dock a Development or even Soyuz and are going to provide a large airlock with 2 useable hatches for performing EVA's in Russian Orlan matches, which our experts will certainly perform a few of before our company get back.The concern prior to in handling today was too little information. The complication right now is way too much. It arrived at one time when e-mail was rejuvenated, as well as there is actually not nearly enough opportunity to review everything! Plus it's too difficult to cope with all of it at once. Yet I enjoy acquiring it, as well as I really cherish the great letters of support as well as friendly relationship I am getting.Our experts are actually succeeding on board, acquiring our work performed, as well as talking about factors. Last evening we possessed a long discussion over dinner concerning the significance of these celebrations, the achievable actions to adhere to, as well as what must be done. After dinner, Michael made a point of informing me that every e-mail he got from friends in Russia said primarily to inform me exactly how sorry they were actually that this taken place, prolonging their acknowledgements, and also talking to just how I was actually performing. Vladimir instructed me the Russian term for "condolences" after speaking with the previous CDR, Yuri Usachev, on the phone in Celebrity Metropolitan area. (Both the Russian and the English terms are a lot extremely lengthy to pronounce easily.) Very types individuals.For the final pair of times, the Russian MCC has been good enough to transmit online programs of radio headlines about the activity as well as connected accounts, to make certain I was properly updated. Every specialist who has actually come on free throw line to cover a method or a trouble has at some point expanded hellos to me with kind words. Tonight the Russian capcom informed our team that due to the wedding day of recognition in the United States, all the time individuals had been actually taking flowers as well as edging all the wall surfaces of the US consular office in Moscow, and this night they were actually igniting candlesticks in the street outside the consulate. Exactly how the globe has actually modified.People almost everywhere seem to be to realize the senselessness and also terror in this strike. As well as the remarkable reduction. Moscow has handled these type of issues in the last couple of years with flat and also train battles, so they are as anxious to remove this risk as we are actually. Yet the bottom line is actually that there are actually great people everywhere that intend to stay in peace. I check out that a kid inquired, "United States is therefore good to other countries, our company always aid everybody, exactly how can they loathe our team a great deal?".I really hope the instance of cooperation as well as leave that this space probe plus all people in the plan demonstrate daily will sooner or later encourage the rest of the planet to work the same way. They must!Sadly, we will not be piloting over the United States during the time individuals are actually igniting candles. Don't recognize if our experts might observe that in any case. Our company did, nonetheless, view a very unusual as well as attractive attraction a few minutes ago: the launch of our Docking Compartment on a Soyuz enhancer. Our experts 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 still at night. It resembled a sizable comet with a right, wide rear silhouetted versus the dark planet underneath. Even with some poor lighting for a while as the sunlight struck our home window at a low position, I took care of some online video of it as initially our team passed the rocket, and after that watched it begin to catch up as it acquired elevation as well as velocity. I recorded up until principal motor deadline and enhancer splitting up happened equally our company approached sunup on the Mountain ranges. A remarkable attraction in a remarkable week ...Life goes on, even in space. Our team're here to remain ... Frank.