9/11 from Space: NASA's chilling image shows the devastation from above

On the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 attacks, NASA released a letter from Frank Culbertson, the only American astronaut in space during the tragedy. Culbertson, who was aboard the International Space Station (ISS), described witnessing the event in a letter dated September 12, 2001.

Culbertson recounted learning about the attacks while serving as the commander of Expedition Three. He expressed his shock and horror, stating, "Well, obviously the world changed today. What I say or do is very minor compared to the significance of what happened to our country today when it was attacked by.... by whom? Terrorists is all we know, I guess. Hard to know at whom to direct our anger and fear..."

From the ISS, Culbertson captured images and video footage of the smoke rising from New York City after the Twin Towers collapsed. He noted the"odd bloom" at the base of the smoke plume. He later discovered that the pilot of the plane that hit the Pentagon was his classmate, Captain Charles Burlingame.


Reflecting on the significance of the event and his unique perspective, Culbertson wrote, "It's difficult to describe how it feels to be the only American completely off the planet at a time such as this. The feeling that I should be there with all of you, dealing with this, helping in some way, is overwhelming."

Today, a memorial stands where the Twin Towers once were, honoring the nearly 3000 victims of the attacks. Pew Research highlighted the profound impact of 9/11 on U.S. public opinion, stating, "It is difficult to think of an event that so profoundly transformed US public opinion across so many dimensions as the 9/11 attacks."

Culbertson's photograph and letter remain a lasting record of the day that changed American history, noting that things would "never be the same again."