NASA Has Some Fun with ‘COLBERT’

April 15, 2009 — NASA announced the name Tuesday of the latest module destined for the International Space Station, and it wasn’t one of two names most people were expecting. Nearly 1.2 million people voted or suggested names for the module that will provide room for many of the space station's life support systems. Of the names submitted by the public, "Colbert" got the most votes after Comedy Central comedian Stephen Colbert encouraged his viewers to write in his name in the online competition. Of NASA's suggested names, “Serenity” was the favorite, receiving 70 percent of the vote. But NASA chose another write-in candidate: Tranquility. Astronaut Sunita Williams, who announced the name during Tuesday night’s “The Colbert Report” program, said Tranquility was the eighth most popular vote getter. "The public did a fantastic job and surprised us with the quality and volume of the suggestions," said Bill Gerstenmaier, associate administrator for Space Operations. "Apollo 11 landed on the moon at the Sea of Tranquility 40 years ago this July. We selected 'Tranquility' because it ties it to exploration and the moon and symbolizes the spirit of international cooperation embodied by the space station." But the top vote getter will at least get some recognition. Colbert’s name will now grace an updated exercise treadmill slated for installation onboard the station later this year. But it’s not just any treadmill; its official name is the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or COLBERT. Gerstenmaier said they have invited Colbert to Florida for the launch of COLBERT in August and to Houston to try out a version of the treadmill that astronauts train on." Colbert viewers who blogged on the story were mostly upset about the name choice, as well as Colbert’s response. “So disappointing,” wrote Hope. “I spent so much time voting and re-voting for Colbert… I actually think less of NASA because of this.” “Say it isn't so, Colbert, “ Disappointed wrote. “How could you let NASA off the hook so easily, so easy it almost appeared scripted? You have let your nation fans down who went to the mat and voted for you without putting up anything that even closely resembled a fight; don't expect me to take up one of your causes again…” But Biz wrote that it was time to move on. “Get over it people,” he wrote. “This is an international space station, not some comedy adventure. I thought it was funny while it lasted, but give me a break.” This wasn’t the first time Colbert has campaigned to get various things named after him. An eagle, a bridge in Hungary, and an ice cream flavor all bear the name "Colbert.

Astronaut Suni Williams announces the new name for Node 3 on Comedy Central's "Colbert Report." Photo credit: Kris Long A newly created patch will depict the acronym and an illustration of the treadmill. Graphic credit: NASA The back of Node 3, now known as “Tranquility.” Photo credit: NASA

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