NASA Astronaut Reflects on Witnessing 9/11 Attacks from Space

Frank Culbertson, the only American off the planet during the attacks, captured the tragedy from the International Space Station.

Frank Culbertson was the commander of Expedition Three aboard the ISS when the 9/11 attacks occurred.
He documented the event with photographs and video, capturing the smoke plume rising from Manhattan.
Culbertson described his feelings of shock, horror, and isolation upon learning about the attacks.
NASA assisted FEMA by using airborne sensors and satellites to monitor aerial contaminants in New York.
NASA honored the victims by flying flags aboard the Space Shuttle and incorporating World Trade Center materials into Mars rovers.