For now, New Jersey Transit, the Long Island Rail Road and Amtrak have hired a design firm to bring some light and fresher air into Penn Station.

WSJ: Plans languish for overhaul of NYC's Penn Station

And if the air feels a little fresher at Kohl's, that's because newer buildings feature fresh-air ventilation and no smoking within 25 feet of the entrance.

CNN: Where to go for a healthy holiday shopping

Now, with Stratos successfully complete, future space programs from NASA, the Air Force or any other agency has much fresher technology and a more recent collection of data to rely on.

ENGADGET: Art Thompson, Red Bull Stratos' technical project director, talks circuit breakers, wind shear and biomedical data

"If decent politicians can resist the temptation to deal with the far right by moving on to their ground between now and 1 May, then the poltical air of our country next summer will be fresher and sweeter than it has been for a generation, " said Mr Phillips.

BBC: Cameron hailed over immigration