Arihant Nuclear submarine

On the purpose of Industrial tour, when I visited Ship Building Center at Visakhaptnam, I dint' know that place would make India a sixth member in an extraordinary league of six countries having N-Subs. This is an incredible achievement for india. Named with Arihant submarine (meaning "Killer of Enemies") are nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines is scheduled to be launched on 26 July 2009, on the ewe of Vijay Diwas - marking India's triumph over Pakistani intruders in Kargil. Built under top secret ATV (Advanced Technology Vessels) project, Arihanth is constructed by Indian Navy, DRDO and BARC.

Completing the nuclear triad

• Read also about "Shourya-Another arm in Indian nuclear Arsenal "
  

Sagarika / K15 missiles and Agni-3, developed by DRDO are yet to be included to Arihant. DRDO has been concurrently working on the equally Sagarika project since the mid-1990s, under which the 700km range K-15 missile has been tested from submersible pontoon launchers till now. The next challenge is to test-fire the K-15 missile from the ATV. Moreover, with US, Russia and China fielding over 5,000km range SLBMs, Indian scientists are also working on an SLBM variant of the 3,500km Agni-III missile. It will take minimum of 2 years for arihant to be fully operational and then it will be commissioned by Indian Navy.



Arihant Project Details:

Funding: 30,000 Crore
Participants: Indian Navy, DRDO, BARC
Other companies involved: L&T, BEL, IGCAR
Length of the submarine: 104m
Wight : 6000 Ton
Fuel used: Nuclear Energy, 20%-34% enriched uranium fuel (160-190MW)
One pressurized water reactor (PWR)
Speed: 12-15 (surfaced) 30-34 (submerged)
Range: Unlimited (Limited by food supply)
Armament:

• Torpedoes: 6 21" (533mm) torpedo tubes
• Total capacity (torpedoes, and missiles): 30 weapons
• SLBM - 12 launch tubes (each with 2.4 meter diameter)
• 12 x K15 SLBM (3 in each launch tube)
• 4 x Agni III (SLBM)(Under development)
• Torpedoes and Mines
  

Launched by: PM Manmohan Singh's Wife.
Comparison with other powers of world:

N-Subs built by US, Russia and China are 71, 40 and 10 respectivley. India is planning to built 3 Arihants. Its has been 54 years since the first N-sub entered waters that was built by US.

Comparing with Pakistan

It doesn't have any N-subs. Its not even in a position to buy them. Its has only 8 submarines which are diesel electrical. We have 16 as such. problem with conventional submarines is that they need to be surfaces frequently for charging of their batteries, which increases the chances to be detected.

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Kalam frisked by American Airliner

Frisking of former President A P J Abdul Kalam by the staff of America's Continental Airline caused uproar on Tuesday in Parliament after which the Government registered an FIR here against the ‘concerned staff’ of the airlines.
77-year-old Kalam was frisked in violation of the mandatory protocol at Delhi International airport before he was to board the Newark-bound Continental Airline flight on April 21. The staff of the airline frisked him after which he was allowed to board the plane.

What is the point of making this issue so complicated? I don’t think this is the issue our parliament/ politician or media needs to be concentrated. Checking the passengers is done by all carriers flying to the US from most of the countries in the world and there is no exemption to this rule. Why should one be omitted from this check? Since frisking VIPs is a breach of protocol, ail liners or any agency should be given strict notices to follow these protocols. In fact Dr. Kalam must be lauded for having gone through the checks without complaining. He is indeed leading by example. Our petty politicians have much to learn from this.

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Solar Eclipse July 22nd

Solar eclipse is on July 22, 2009 and if you are looking for Superstitions, Timings, Places of solar eclipse – help is here. Here are the time when the solar eclipse or Surya Grahan 2009 will be seen in Bhopal, patna, varanasi, gaya, sikkim, darjeeling, siliguri, ujjain, surat and other places in India.

Superstitions in India

Superstition about Eclipse is a worldwide phenomenon. Many cultures believed that a demon or dragon swallowed the sun.
In India we believe that Rahu and Ketu play a role in the eclipse. Rahu and Ketu are supposed to be planets but they really have no existence in the solar system that we know about. They are purely inventions, beautiful creations albeit, of the mind of the ancient people.

Superstitions in China

In China, it is believed that the dragon swallows the sun during eclipse. So they would beat drums to produce great noise and commotion to frighten away the dragon while, the Japanese would cover the wells so that the demons in the cover of darkness during the eclipse would not drop poison into them.

Other stories

In Romania people believed that werewolves and demons ate up the sun during the eclipse. To frighten them away they would light up huge fires and ring church bells would be rung throughout the eclipse.
Sometimes the superstitions can be used to an advantage! In 1503 Christopher Columbus was stranded in Jamaica because his boats had got eaten up by worms. The natives living in Jamaica were hospitable to start with but because of the behavior of the Spaniards and because of the prolonged stay, they turned hostile. Christopher Columbus and his crew were dependent on the natives for their food. When the natives became angry, they cut off the food supply to Columbus and his men.
Columbus then called for a meeting of all the chiefs. He chose a day when he knew lunar eclipse would occur. When all the chiefs gathered, he told them that if they did not restore food supplies to them, he will make the moon disappear. Of course the chiefs laughed. Then Christopher Columbus said:
Behold!
The lunar eclipse had started. Slowly the moon started disappearing. And the chiefs were frightened. How is it possible that somebody is making the moon disappear?
They went down on their knees and begged him to restore moon:
For we promise to provide you with all the supplies you need as long as you stay here.
Christopher Columbus then pretended to consult with the Gods and the Moon. He came out of his ship just as the lunar eclipsed ended and the moon reappeared once more on the horizon.
And thereafter till his stay he had enough food supplies!

Photography

Photographing such total solar eclipse is possible with fairly common film camera equipment. In order for the disk of the sun/moon to be easily visible, a fairly high magnification telephoto lens is needed (70-200 mm for a 35 mm camera), and for the disk to fill most of the frame, a longer lens is needed (over 500 mm). For those who are interested in photographing the total solar eclipse, here are few tips to make your photographing fruitful.

Precautions

Viewing the Sun after totality can be dangerous. Hence do not view the sun after eclipse as it emits highly hazardous rays.

While in Photographing, do take proper precautions to safeguard your eyes. The sun when viewed through the view finder of the camera might affect the retina of the eyes, which might even be a cause for losing our eyes. One of the most widely available filters for safe solar viewing is shade number 14 welder’s glass, which can be obtained from welding supply outlets.

Timings in India

Want to know which is the best place to see solar eclipse? Well read on

Below is the list of places in India (where the Eclipse is Visible in its totality) and the timing when it will be visible:

Bhopal

1. Eclipse begins before Sunrise
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:22:11 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:23:47 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:25:23 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:22:51 AM

Patna

1. Eclipse begins at 05:29:57 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:24:37 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:26:31 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:28:24 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:29:29 AM

Varanasi

1. Eclipse begins at 05:30:03 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:24:10 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:25:44 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:27:17 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:27:34 AM

Gaya

1. Eclipse begins at 05:29:34 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:24:26 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:26:04 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:27:41 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:29:00 AM

Surat

1. Eclipse begins before sunrise
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:21:16 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:22:54 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:24:33 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:19:53 AM

Ujjain

1. Eclipse begins before sunrise
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:22:51 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:23:40 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:24:30 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:21:56 AM

Vadodara

1. Eclipse begins before sunrise
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:22:41 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:23:20 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:23:59 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:20:27 AM

Siliguri

1. Eclipse begins at 05:30:26 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:26:33 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:28:26 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:30:23 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:40:45 AM

Darjeeling

1. Eclipse begins at 05:30:35 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:27:01 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:28:30 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:29:58 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:33:07 AM

Sikkim

1. Eclipse begins at 05:30:40 AM
2. Total Solar Eclipse Begins at 06:27:15 AM
3. Greatest Eclipse Phase at 06:28:30 AM
4. Total Solar Eclipse Ends at 06:29:58 AM
5. Eclipse ends at 07:34:10 AM

Best place to see Solar eclipse – Patna or Siliguri as the Total eclipse will be for longest duration at these places

Solar eclipse 2009 will be the longest total solar eclipse in our lifetimes. The solar eclipse on July 22 2009 which is visible in India, China, and other Asian countries will be a unique eclipse of the Sun. Sun eclipse or Solar eclipse in india has already generated so much of curiosity that many from across India are travelling to the locations where eclipse will be visible clearly.

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Hillary Clinton - Visit to India -1

"Our nations should work together to address common challenges including security, non-proliferation and climate change." - Hillary Clintorn

India's stance on NPT and Climate Change are more clear. They both happens at the cost of India's long/short term benefits. India doesn't sign on either of the pacts unless it gets enough benefits from US. On the other side, US wants India's inclusion on both the treaties as it looks as one of the important foreign policy.

NPT (Non-Proliferation Treaty)
India, Pakistan, Israel and North Korea are not signatories in NPT where almost 189 countries have signed the pact. US has been consistent supporter of non proliferation treaty that always tries to bring India into treaty and is also an important in US foreign policy. India had already mentioned that it won't sign as treaty is DISCRIMINATORY. Pakistan doesn't do as long as India doesn't. North Korea had signed the pact but withdrew it. Each country knows Israel has N-weapons. Since it never revealed the fact, every other country is ready to go hoodwinked. India's stance on NPT which has been since its Independence made India nuclear enabled state. The question is: "Will India keep its stance aside and join in NPT? " Its almost impossible for Mrs.Clinton to see India in favor of NPT.

Climate Concerns
India is 3rd in emitting carbon-di-oxide and other green house gases. As of now, there are no any quantify restrictions on these emissions for developing countries like china and India. Reduction in emissions happens at the loss of present business deals and at the cost of billions of rupees and as a result some of the social reforms will be slowed down. Definitely, India will not respond to US positively unless it gets more and more benefits like clean energy technology transfer. The fact is that 20% of the world emissions are from US and India's contribution is 4%. Keeping this fact in mind, India will definitely ask Clinton to take the lead in reducing emissions by 40% by 2020 as per Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change .


Swift action on Indo-US nuclear agreement

If US wants to give more and if India is ready to loose its sovereignty in nuclear weapon technology, then definitely outcome will be positive out of this Mrs.Clinton's tour. It is all about WIN-WIN situation.

Have a look of few other articles:
Will G-20 Success Be a Big Blow to China,India & Other Developing Nations?

Did Amitabh make the problem complicated?

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Star sensor- ISRO's chandrayaan-1

India's dream project Chandrayan-1 might come to premature end with its star sensor's failure. Not exactly, it is a failure since backup has come in terms of gyroscopes. Definitely, this unpleasant incident leads to loss of accuracy in positioning Satellite in moon's Orbit. Here is the story about star sensors and gyroscopes. Know why is not a complete failure of a mission? Still every Indian can expect a lot from ISRO's Chandrayan mission.

Star sensor- What does it mean

As name says, Star sensor makes use of the positions of stars in space and calculates the altitude of space vehicle from a celestial body' surface. Here in this case, Star sensor is used to put Chandrayan-1 at a particular height from moon's surface.

Working

• Images of stars are converted to electrical signals.
• Determines the star positions using different algorithms.
• Now calculates the altitude from each celestial body.
• All these altitude info are used to position the space vehicle from required celestial body (Moon in this case)

Advantages with star sensor

It works effectively even after 4 years since their launch.
Calculates the altitude with 2sigma accuracy of better than 18 arcsec for each individual star frame.


What if it doesn't work:

Mechanical elements like gyroscopes will be put in use. But obviously, accuracy will be reduced with time. That results again decreasing in lifespan of spacecraft but not the failure of the mission.

So, we can still have some hope that ISRO's effort doesn't go in vein.

Have a look of few other articles:

Does Job cuts in US affect Indian or Chinese Outsourcing Industry?

Terrorism in Srinlaka: How good is not supporting Srilanka?

Read more...