Democracy be Damned: NASA Nixed “Colbert” ISS Node

By Alex in Science & Tech on Apr 17, 2009 at 1:32 pm

Aw! Being the Internet slowpoke, I’ve just learned that NASA has bucked the will of the people and named the International Space Station’s next module "Tranquility" instead of the rightful winner of the online voting contest, "Colbert" (after the comedian Stephen Colbert).

But Colbert didn’t go away empty handed: he’s got a treadmill named after him and millions of adoring fans (and lots of money) to console him during these difficult times:

The space agency had asked people for help naming the node by voting on NASA-suggested names and writing in their own suggestions. After the poll ended on 20 March, "Colbert" came out the clear winner with more than 230,000 votes, while "Tranquility" garnered a mere 4493 votes. [...]

But Colbert didn’t walk away empty handed.

Astronaut Sunita Williams, who ran the first marathon in space two years ago, announced on his show on Tuesday that Colbert would get something in the new node named for him – and it’s not the toilet, as had been rumoured. Williams said his name would grace the node’s treadmill, due to launch in August. The exercise equipment will be called the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill.

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  1. Church
    Apr 17th, 2009 at 7:22 pm

    The real story here is that they passed over “Serenity” which was a pre-approved option that won in that group by a landslide, in favor of “Tranquility.” But unlike Colbert, the Browncoats didn’t get dick.

    Fuck you too, NASA.

  2. Johnny Cat
    Apr 18th, 2009 at 12:37 am

    Serenity won. C’mon, NASA. I understand the fagola schmata with the whole Colbert thing, but Serenity was based on a True love for all things NASA-ish. Bad form to diss it. I’m off to my pod in disgust.

  3. BlessedBlogger
    Apr 18th, 2009 at 9:27 am

    What the hell Nasa? I’m fine with them not naming it Colbert, I can understand that one, but to choose tranquility over Serenity? Why even have the poll? This really makes me mad and hurts my feelings. Jerks.

  4. DOJ
    Apr 18th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

    I don’t understand the Colbert thing.
    Why even allow write ins if you won’t accept them?

  5. ted
    Apr 19th, 2009 at 10:30 am

    Soo tired of Stephen Colbert.

  6. Thomas
    Apr 19th, 2009 at 4:06 pm

    Just remember, there’s no such thing as bad publicity. NASA has almost fallen off the news radar, and a stunt like this puts them back in the public eye. Does it make people like them? Hell no. It makes them look like a bunch of dicks. While I’m sure they weren’t planning on Colbert’s invasion, 4chan tried to get “Xenu” to be the name of the pod. I’m pretty sure NASA would have ignored that too. $cientology’s lawyers would be foaming at the mouth.

  7. Arjen
    Apr 23rd, 2009 at 6:29 pm

    Ohh yes…. My bother kolo

  8. Saç Ekimi
    Jul 25th, 2009 at 11:42 am

    Does it accomplish humans like them? Hell no. It makes them attending like a agglomeration of dicks. While I’m abiding they weren’t planning on Colbert’s invasion

  9. Araba
    Jul 27th, 2009 at 8:16 am

    realy great information. ? like this site…

  10. saç ekimi
    Sep 9th, 2009 at 11:15 pm

    I can understand that one, but to choose tranquility over Serenity?

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  12. s.holstens
    Dec 7th, 2009 at 4:22 am

    Whats the Colbert thing?

  13. Seo Agent
    Dec 11th, 2009 at 3:38 am

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  15. Barbioyunlar?
    Dec 30th, 2009 at 5:46 am

    Good to know. But I’m interessted in how the people finds this shortcuts exactly for the words. Cool brain game stich game. How inovative the people are. We call it in our homeland a ay?c?k barbie giydir. Funny think

  16. Turintr
    Jan 19th, 2010 at 11:56 am

    Just remember, there’s rejection such fixation as bad publicity. NASA has almost fallen rotten the news radar, and a stunt like this puts them back in the open eye. Does it compose relatives like them? Hell rejection. It makes them look like a bunch of dicks. While I’m steady they weren’t planning on Colbert’s invasion, 4chan tried to prevail on “Xenu” to be the refer to of the case. I’m pretty steady NASA would exhibit without being seen to facilitate too. $cientology’s lawyers would be foaming on the boasting.

  17. Çocuk Oyun Park?
    Feb 16th, 2010 at 5:26 am

    Thanks good article my friend


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