Frank Culbertson, an American astronaut, was on the International Space Station (ISS) on September 11, 2001, making him the only American not on Earth at the time of the terrorist attacks. Approximately 400 kilometers above the Earth, Culbertson captured images of the smoke and debris rising from the World Trade Center site in New York City. He described the emotional impact of witnessing the destruction from space as a "true psychological shock," contrasting the peaceful environment of the ISS with the deliberate devastation unfolding below. In one of the photos, Culbertson noted a distinctive "odd flowering" at the base of the smoke plume from the collapsing towers. This detail suggested the image was taken either at the moment or shortly after the second tower's collapse. The collapse of the Twin Towers released a massive cloud of toxic materials, including heavy metals, asbestos, and cement. This cloud lingered for months, and the long-term health effects on survivors and first responders are still being studied by scientists. From the ISS, Culbertson and his crew also observed the sudden stop in air traffic over the United States. All contrails above the country disappeared within two orbits, except for Air Force One, which was transporting President George W. Bush back to Washington. Additionally, Culbertson noted that the pilot of the hijacked plane that crashed into the Pentagon was a former classmate from his flight school, Charles "Chic" Burlingame. Culbertson's photographs and reflections from that day offer a unique perspective on the events of September 11, 2001, adding a new dimension to collective memories of the attacks. Twenty-five years later, these images continue to prompt reflection on how historical shocks are inscribed in collective memory and how these memories shape the way humanity inhabits the planet.