NASA Astronaut Frank Culbertson Observes 9/11 Attacks from International Space Station
On September 11, 2001, NASA astronaut Frank Culbertson was the sole American in space, serving as commander of Expedition 3 aboard the International Space Station (ISS). From his vantage point, Culbertson witnessed the tragic terrorist attacks unfolding in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania. He described seeing a large cloud of debris covering Manhattan, which he characterized as a painful sight, akin to seeing a wound on his country. Culbertson was part of a three-man crew, which also included Russian cosmonauts Vladimir Dezhurov and Mikhail Turin. His observations from orbit provided a unique and somber perspective on one of the most significant events in U.S. history, highlighting the global reach and impact of the attacks.
