MiningmanOvermod states--- " basically nothing 'open' has been done either for space exploration or space colonization with their approaches since then"
I think you missed the point that I was talking about Russia, and orbiting bases, in the 1980s. In the context of manned operations. Most of the items you've quoted are relatively small-scale remote probe missions, which added little to reliable low-cost heavy-lift capability or to development of even an orbital 'residence', to say nothing of manufacturing, capability. We have the ISS (and I suppose I should be grateful for it) but it's scarcely what I was looking forward to as the 'space dividend' after the Apollo missions.
In a recent article in "Smithsonian", it is suggested that the 'space dividend' is primarily digital, such as the development of integrated circuits, increasing use of computers in many fields, miniaturization, etc.
Overmod---Ok.. I understand.
I will add though that the information and contribution to science from these missions have been astonishing, invaluable and represent incredible advancements in space exploration. Just the knowledge we obtained from Enceladus alone is mind blowing and worth the whole thing, all of it.... and there is 10,000x more than that we got. We will be studying data obtained from Cassini for 30-40 years!
AMTRAK AND NJ TRANSIT ANNOUNCE WORK TO REFRESH TICKETED WAITING AREAAT NEW YORK PENN STATION: Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT today began theirrefresh of the Ticketed Waiting Area at New York Penn Station, theseating area for their customers at the Amtrak Concourse on the UpperLevel and 8th Avenue side of the Station. As part of the refresh,customers can expect new furniture and fixtures, including communaltables and seats with electrical and USB outlets to charge devices, anupgraded ceiling complete with new LED lighting, a family area thatwill also feature a nursing mothers’ pod, the removal of themidpoint barrier, a new information desk and a second entranceoffering easy access towards the 7th Avenue side of the Station.
"I am thrilled to see work start on significant improvements to the NJTRANSIT waiting area at New York Penn Station," said Governor PhilMurphy. "Because of increased cooperation between the State of NewJersey, NJ TRANSIT, and our partners at Amtrak, NJ TRANSIT customerswill now have the modern, state of the art, and comfortable facilitiesat Penn Station that they have deserved for so long." "The journeyis the most important part of the adventure at Amtrak, and we arerefreshing the Ticketed Waiting Area because that journey begins atthe station," said Amtrak Board Chair Tony Coscia. "We thank ourcustomers, as well as our partners at NJ TRANSIT, for their patienceand cooperation as we continue to update New York Penn Station with animproved and more modern experience." "These renovations willimprove the commute for customers who travel through Penn Station toNew York and surrounding areas," said New Jersey Department ofTransportation Commissioner Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. "Projectslike these encourage use of NJ TRANSIT'™s extensive rail network andunderscore our commitment to maintaining safe and comfortable transitfacilities for our customers." "NJ TRANSIT customers deserve abetter experience at New York Penn Station, and that's exactly whatthese improvements will deliver," said NJ TRANSIT President & CEOKevin Corbett. "Thanks to our renewed partnership, NJ TRANSIT isworking closely with Amtrak to put our customers first in everydecision we make. Our joint effort to improve the experience at NewYork Penn Station is a perfect example. These improvements will helpreduce overcrowding in the NJ TRANSIT waiting area, improve pedestrianflow through the station, and generally provide for a more comfortableenvironment for NJ TRANSIT customers using New York Penn Station as anorigin or destination."
The project, which includes a $7.2 milliontotal joint investment between Amtrak and NJ TRANSIT, will be completed over two phases; the first starts today, Jan.7, and the second is scheduled to start in March, after the first phase is complete. The second phase is expected to be completed in June 2020.
There will also be two temporary spaces (one for each phase of theproject) to accommodate passengers during the two constructionperiods. The first will be at the concourse near Tracks 9 and 10, andthe second will be near Tracks 13 and 14. Amtrak undertook the firststeps to refresh the Ticketed Waiting Area in 2019 when it opened aStarbucks coffee bar in the space to provide customers with theopportunity to purchase refreshments and removed the exteriorinformation booth to improve customer flow. The Ticketed Waiting Areaproject is the continuation of several improvements Amtrak has beenmaking to the Station since 2017 as it advances Amtrak’s plan tomodernize stations, infrastructure, and trains on the NortheastCorridor. Other completed work to date includes the refreshedrestrooms, upgraded air conditioning, new furniture in ClubAcela, andthe continued work of the Infrastructure Renewal program. (NJT -posted 1/07)
I recently visited the New West Concourse and toured the entire station. So many things are being ripped out and relocated.
As for the old Penn Station, only waiting passengers went upstairs to the huge, expensive, and impractical space if they did at all.
Arrivals and all LIRR passengers just went up and down the exit stairs, and after the track and lower levels were floored over in the early 20th century, they never saw the grand waiting room and concourses where MSG now stands.
Any status updates to the Rebuild Penn Station movement?
I guess the pandemic has put things on hold.
Shock Control Any status updates to the Rebuild Penn Station movement?
Here is a link from Amtrak that may be helpful:
https://nec.amtrak.com/project/moynihan-station/#:~:text=Moynihan%20Train%20Hall%20is%20expected%20to%20be%20fully%20completed%20in%202020.
The impact of COVID-19 on the plan is not clear.
Has the area of NYC's Penn Station that had been open to the sky now been built over. Looking at Google Maps, I don't see any tracks west of the Post Office.
Google Earth images show all the tracks covered up until 11th Ave, past which shows the LIRR coach yard.
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