11 Septembre 2001: Frank Culbertson's Unique Perspective from Space

11 Septembre 2001: A Day of Unprecedented Impact

On 11 septembre 2001, 23 years ago, the world witnessed terrifying attacks as planes struck the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center. However, one individual, Frank Culbertson, was doing something extraordinary: he was orbiting above the Earth aboard the International Space Station.

Frank Culbertson's Unique Experience

As the commander of Expedition 3, Culbertson had just undergone a medical exam when he learned of the news at 9 AM. In his letter shared by Nasa, he expressed, “I was astonished, then horrified.” His first thought was disbelief, unable to fathom such an occurrence happening in his country. “I couldn't even imagine it,” he wrote, attempting to see the devastation from his vantage point.

The Emotional Toll of Isolation

Writing about the emotional impact, he stated, “The most overwhelming feeling I have is one of isolation.” Despite being miles above the chaos, Culbertson felt the urge to be with his fellow Americans, to provide assistance during this crisis. Nasa decided to continue Culbertson's mission, and he agreed with the sentiment: “Life goes on, even in space.”