Dr. Kalpana Chawla: First Indian American to fly the US space shuttle

She was one of the 6 astronaut crew that flew the Columbia Flight STS-87 on November 19, 1997. She is the first Indian or Indian-American to fly in the US space shuttle.
Biographical Data

PERSONAL DATA:
Born in Karnal, India. Dr. Chawla enjoys flying, hiking, backpacking, and reading. She holds Certificated Flight Instructor’s license and Commercial Pilots licenses for single- and multi-engine land airplanes and single-engine seaplanes, instrument rating, and Private Glider. She enjoys flying aerobatics and tail-wheel airplanes.

EDUCATION:
Graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976. Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, 1982. Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas, 1984. Doctorate of philosophy in aerospace engineering from University of Colorado, 1988.

EXPERIENCE:
Dr. Chawla was hired by MCAT Institute, San Jose, California, as a Research Scientist to support research in the area of powered fin at NASA Ames Research Center, California, in 1988. She was responsible for simulation and analysis of flow physics pertaining to the operation of powered lift aircraft such as the Harrier in ground effect. She modeled and numerically simulated configurations that include important components of realistic powered lift aircraft both in hover and landing mode, using Navier-Stokes solvers on Cray YMP. Following completion of this project she supported research in mapping of flow solvers to parallel computers such as the Intel iPSC-860, the Intel Paragon, and the TMC CM-2, and testing of these solvers by carrying out powered lift computations. In 1993 Dr. Chawla joined Overset Methods Inc., Los Altos, California, as Vice President and Research Scientist to form a team with other researchers specializing in simulation of moving multiple body problems. She was responsible for development and implementation of efficient techniques to perform aerodynamic optimization. Results of various projects that Dr. Chawla participated in are documented in technical conference papers and Journals.

NASA EXPERIENCE:
Selected by NASA in December 1994, Dr. Chawla reported to the Johnson Space Center in March 1995. After completing a year of training and evaluation, she was assigned to work technical issues for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches. Dr. Chawla will serve as a mission specialist on the crew of the fourth U-S, Microgravity Payload flight scheduled for an November 1997 launch on board Columbia on mission STS-87.

KALPANA CHAWLA: LOST IN SPACE:
On January 16th, 2003, when space shuttle Columbia blasted off with American astronaut Kalpana Chawla and 7 members in the crew, little did anyone know that this very mission would have a tragic end.

On 1st February, The US space shuttle broke up over Texas a few minute before it was due to land at the Kennedy space center in Florida on Saturday. All crew members are feared dead.

The nation and world mourns the death of the Columbia crew, even as India suffers the loss of first India born American astronaut Kalpana Chawla.

 

Tips For First Job

Beginning your first job search doesn’t have to be a frustrating experience. Students are often intimidated by the thought of the first job hunt after graduation but that process can be easier than they think if they remember the basic job search rules by John Petrik.

1. Get out into the real world.
An internship or part-time co-op job tells employers that you have already experienced a real-world work environment and know what to expect.

2. Communicate well with others.
No matter what career path you choose to follow — from nurse to computer programmer —you have to have solid written and oralcommunication skills to get a job.

3. Network, network, network.
Most grads land jobs through people they know — not by answering newspaper ads. So, make a list of your own contacts, such as professors, family and friends, and add to it by attending career fairs and other
professional associations and activities.

4. Be computer literate.
It’s the information age —you need to be able to demonstrate solid computer literacy that’s relevant to your field.

5. Put your best resume for ward.
A resume should be a concise, error-free,reader friendly, one-page document that can be easily scanned.

6. Research.
Take the time to learn about the company you are targeting by visiting its Web site or researching the company at the library.

7. Use examples.
Using specific examples from school or internships to answer questions about your experiences paints a clearer picture of your strengths and skills for the employer.

8. Smile!
It’s hard to smile when you’re on the hot seat—but a smile during an interview shows enthusiasm for the position and the company. Potential employers might interpret a non-smiling face as a lack of interest.

9. Show your thanks.
A thank you note following a phone or face-to-face interview reinforces your interest in the position and the company.

 

Kaju Pista Roll

Cylindrical rolls of cashew nut barfi stuffed with pistachios.

Preparation Time : 15 mins.
Cooking Time : Nil.

Makes 14 rolls.
Ingredients
1 recipe pista barfi (given below)
1 recipe cashew barfi (given below)

Other ingredients
ghee for greasing

For the garnish
4 edible silver leaves (varq)

Method

1. Make the pista barfi as specified in the recipe.

2. Divide into two equal parts and shape each portion into a cylindrical roll of 100 mm. (4″) length and 6 mm. (1/4″) thickness. Keep aside.

3. Make the cashew barfi as specified in the recipe.

4. Divide into 2 equal parts. Roll out each portion with the help of a greased rolling pin on a sheet of plastic to rectangle of 100 mm. x 75 mm. (4″ x 3″) and 3 mm. (1/8″) thickness.

5. Place one portion of the pistachio roll on one side of the cashewnut rectangle.

6. Roll out tightly starting from the end where the pistachio roll is placed and seal the edges completely.

7. Gently press the roll till it is about 175 mm. (7″) length.

8. Roll this onto 2 silver leaves so it coats the kaju pista roll completely.

9. Cut into 7 pieces of 25 mm. (1″) each.

10. Repeat for the remaining ingredients to make 1 more roll.

Tiger Tiger- William Blake

Tiger Tiger burning bright
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wing dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire?

On what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart
And when thy heart began to beat?
What Dread hand? And what dread feet?

What the hammer? What the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp?
Done its deadly terrors clasp!

When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the lamb make thee?

Tiger Tiger burning bright
In the forests of the night
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

• William Blake

Quote

Mutability

The flower that smiles today

Tomorrow dies;

All that we wish to stay

Tempts and then flies.

What is this world’s delight?

Lightning that mocks the night,

Brief even as bright.

Virtue, how frail it is!

Friendship how rare!

Love, how it sells poor bliss

For proud despair!

But we, though soon they fall,

Survive their joy, and all

Which ours we call.

Whilst skies are blue and bright,

Whilst flowers are gay,

Whilst eyes that change ere night

Make glad the day;

Whilst yet the calm hours creep,

Dream thou and from thy sleep

Then wake to weep.

– Percy Bysshe Shelley

 

Lord Shree Swaminarayan