FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE

This weekend i am again planning to gettin hooked to vodka delights....it's now my 3rd consecutive weekend with this russian beauty..why i like her???it's a tough question.....She's clean, she smells like teen spirit and better of these..it's like kissin a gal frm eastern europe........We indians hardly understand the delights of vodka..in india Rum,Whisky or beer rules the crystal glasses but vodka is really catching up fast..in india also.



Vodka was exported to Sweden frm russia ,it was the 1st export of vodka from russia, way back in 14th or 15th century....sweden is also a huge fan of vodka( guess that's why i find strange similarities between viking gals and russian gals...they are beautiful)....and today whole of eastern europe and northern europe takes dips in vodka.It's made by fermenting mash of grains or vegetables....but i guess potatoes are the preffered vegetables.Rye and wheat are the finest grains for Vodka fermentation.Russian Vodkas are primarily made from wheat and polish are partial towards rye mash.Potatoes are looked after by russians and are manufactured in higly reputed distilleries.Unlike Whisky or Scotch the pots for Vodka are not wooden....when vodka leaves the pot..it's comes out in the form of fine,pure,colourless and spirited liquid with characteristic thin aroma......numerous spices,fruit juices are mixed to bring in colours and aroma...as well as some exotic tastes....Unfortunately in india it's hard to find a bottled spiced russian or polish or sweddish vodka.....Ofcourse we have Bars and Pubs to carry out cocktails but than also the bottled taste is different.....I personally like Okhotnichya type of vodka....In English speaking world it's known as Hunters....Besides the base ingrediant it has pinches of clove ,ginger, lemon peel, coffee and few herbs.....Goin by Brands i thinkAbsolut and Smirnoff are excellent ...followed by Seagram's Fuel and Shilpa Shetty endorsed Romanov....

But there are ways to make exciting delights rm these brands also.......although they don contain any spices or aromatics but still u can always add extras in ur crystal........one of the vodka cocktails i like most is "Bellini Martini".......it contains vodka with peach puree and splash champagne.....If ur at a beach house or a river boat...with ur girlfrnd and u want to have some classy ,quiet moments than go for this vodka delight.......believe me....Bellini Martini is classic drink and brings out love.....use champagne glass flutes....for her glass, u can add extra ice and garnish it with a slice of peach....

while in parties i prefer a touch n fly version of vodka classic "Blue Lagoon"........2 Oz of vodka(i prefer smirnoff)........add 1 oz blue curacao(now ..many of u don knw abt curacao...it's nt that popular in here....it's a kind of liquer made frm orange peels.....)....add ginger and lemonade.....shake it well and then take the sip..........It looks gd(Ocean blue in color)..It smells gd(very hard...alcohol and curacao)...and it tastes even better...so u see it;s delight for senses....That's why i love it...u can shake the floor all night long......

U can use vodka in most unexpected places.....In kitchen,with fruits and vegetable.........Cooking with liqour is nt a popular idea in india..but things are cathcing up nw..........many of u might have heard abt Vodka lemon chicken.........i love that dish.......it's easy to make .........and uses all kind of nutritious elements u can think of....lemon,olive oil,eggs,chicken,milk,vodkaaaaa....and indian spices....believe me ..it tastes wonderful............

i enjoy vodka in watever form i can.......but it's a liquor ...so there has to be some degree of carefulness.....don overdo it.......I guess staying in control and enjoyin is the ultimate thing......

SPACE SHUTTLE ABORT MODES

Space shuttle is the most complex machine build by man but still we hear lots of problem related to it and it’s missions…as they say…more sophistication brings more problems……. Those who follow some bit of Shuttle missions have heard the word -"Mission Abort".What exactly is this??How and in what circumstances a mission is aborted?????So this week it’s all about Shuttle mission abort.



To reduce the complexity of the topic I am 1st writing about shuttle’s ascent abort mode.The ascent abort mode is during the ascent and docking to the space station.There are basically two types of ascent abort modes for the space shuttle-“Intact Aborts” and “Contingency Aborts”

Let’s talk abt Intact abort modes first----There are 4 subcategories for the Intact Abort.

1) Abort-To-Orbit(ATO)-:This Method is devised to Provide a temporary orbit fr the shuttle….this temporary orbit is lower than the nominal orbit. ATO requires less performance rate ,which in turn gives the opportunity to diagnose the problem and rectify it. Depending upon the success to solve the problem the shuttle can make early de-orbit maneuver or an orbital maneuvering thrust vectoring to raise the orbit and continue with the mission.This Technique is used when the crew or ground controllers can rectify the problem in flight.
2) Abort-Once-Around(AOA)-: In this Abort type, Primary Mission is suspended and the shuttle is brought back to earth.This requires a full revolution around earth and to perform 2 different orbital maneuver for lowering of orbit and re-entry of vehicle.The entry sequence will be similar to a normal entry sequence.
3) TransAtlantic Landing(TAL)-:The TAL is designed to land the shuttle on a transatlantic Landing Facility.In this Technoque the shuttle follow a ballistic trajectory .This process is employed when the thrust vectoring are not in synergy.This process doesn’t require Orbital maneuvering .
4) Return-To-Launch Site(RTLS)-: This mode involves flyin downrange to dissipate propellant and than turning arnd under power to return directly to the launch site or near the launch site.


We have Options but there’s a definite order of preference for different modes .The type of failure and the time of failure decides which mode should be selected. In cases where performance failures occur the preferred preferences are in the order of ATO,AOA,TAL AND RTLS. In case of some support system failure like cabin leaks or vehicle cooling problems, the preferred mode might be that which allows to quickly end the mission. In these cases TAL and RTLS are most probable than other 2 methods.A contingency abort is never considered if other option exists.

The mission-control-Houston is the prime caller for abort mode becoz it has the most precise information of shuttle ‘s current location and orbital position.In any case Houston knows more than any other observing station or even than the shuttle crew. Before main engine cutoff Houston periodically informs the shuttle crew which abort mode is available or not available.If gorund Communications are lost than the crew can select appropriate abort mode using onboard sensors and dedicated displays.

In very serious cases like in case of system failures the mission control opts for rapid re entry of the vehicle.TAL and RTLS are preferred in these cases.The shuttle will approximately take 35 minutes to perform these mode while the AOA mode will require 90 minutes. Which of these is elected depends upon the time and extent of failure of shuttle’s engines.



Contingency Abort-: This happens when the main engine of the shuttle fails and the boosters suffers frm low thrust problem.In this case Mission control Houston has to carry out a in flight escape for the crew.This method also involves ditching of space shuttle.The crew escape is carried out before ditching.



So here it is…..a brief info abt shuttles abort modes.I will write some more topics on shuttle and orbiter’s assembly.