The Hellenic Navy (HN) (Greek: Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, Polemikó Naftikó, abbreviated ΠΝ) is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence. During the periods of monarchy (1833–1924 and 1936–1973) it was known as the Royal Navy (Βασιλικόν Ναυτικόν, Vasilikón Naftikón, abbreviated ΒΝ).The total displacement of all the navy's vessels is approximately 150,000 tons.The motto of the Hellenic Navy is "Μέγα το της Θαλάσσης Κράτος" from Thucydides' account of Pericles' oration on the eve of the Peloponnesian War. This has been roughly translated as "Great is the country that controls the sea". The Hellenic Navy's emblem consists of an anchor in front of a crossed Christian cross and trident, with the cross symbolizing Greek Orthodoxy, and the trident symbolizing Poseidon, the god of the sea in Greek mythology. Pericles' words are written across the top of the emblem. "The navy, as it represents a necessary weapon for Greece, should only be created for war and aim to victory."...............The Hellenic Merchant Marine refers to the Merchant Marine of Greece, engaged in commerce and transportation of goods and services universally. It consists of the merchant vessels owned by Greek civilians, flying either the Greek flag or a flag of convenience. Greece is a maritime nation by tradition, as shipping is arguably the oldest form of occupation of the Greeks and a key element of Greek economic activity since the ancient times. Nowadays, Greece has the largest merchant fleet in the world, which is the second largest contributor to the national economy after tourism and forms the backbone of world shipping. The Greek fleet flies a variety of flags, however some Greek shipowners gradually return to Greece following the changes to the legislative framework governing their operations and the improvement of infrastructure.

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This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς....This is a bilingual blog in English and / or Greek and you can translate any post to any language by pressing on the appropriate flag....Note that there is provided below a scrolling text with the 30 recent posts...Αυτό είναι ένα δίγλωσσο blog στα Αγγλικά η/και στα Ελληνικά και μπορείτε να μεταφράσετε οποιοδήποτε ποστ σε οποιαδήποτε γλώσσα κάνοντας κλικ στη σχετική σημαία. Σημειωτέον ότι παρακάτω παρέχεται και ένα κινούμενο κείμενο με τα 30 πρόσφατα ποστς.........

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Nasa space balloon crashes during takeoff [ 1108 ]

Nasa space balloon crashes into car during takeoff

A multi-million pound Nasa space balloon has crashed during takeoff in the Australian outback, hitting a car and narrowly missing a crowd of spectators.

By Bonnie Malkin in Sydney
Published: 8:49AM BST 29 Apr 2010

Ravi Sood, Balloon Launching Centre director, said almost all of the balloon's precious payload was destroyed in the crash

The large balloon, which was carrying expensive and sensitive scientific equipment, was buffeted by a strong gust of wind and ripped from its mooring as it was being filled with air in preparation for launch.
The wind carried the balloon for about 500 metres, when it hit a fence and an onlooker's car before collapsing.

At the time of the crash the car-sized balloon was believed to be carrying a rare telescope, valued at between $5 million (£3m) and $10 million (£6m), that monitors gamma rays.
Ravi Sood, Balloon Launching Centre director, said almost all of the balloon's precious payload was destroyed in the crash.
"It's not only the money," Professor Sood told Australian news website ninemsn.com.au
"It's the countless hours of time of work put in by the people who worked on this project."
Prof Sood said that the winds were stronger than expected and had picked up while the balloon was being filled with air.

"The wind was too strong and it pushed it away and into the spectator's car."
Several spectators had to run for their lives when the balloon lifted up.
Stan and Betty Davies, an Alice Springs couple who were watching the launch, told ABC News they thought they were going to die when the balloon crashed.
"We were sitting in our car and preparing to move it out of the way and we were actually about a foot [away] of being wiped out," Mrs Davies said.
"I think if it had hadn't have been for the other gentleman's car being there we'd have been somewhere else by now."
The balloon was meant to be carried to a 25 mile altitude, at which point it would be used to conduct astrophysics experiments.
Another attempt will be made to launch a similar balloon in May.

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