Stephen Colbert Wins NASA Contest -- But Will They Name Space Station After Him?

WASHINGTON — NASA's online contest to name a new room at the international space station went awry. Comedian Stephen Colbert won.

The name "Colbert" beat out NASA's four suggested options in the space agency's effort to have the public help name the addition. The new room will be launched later this year.

NASA's mistake was allowing write-ins. Colbert urged viewers of his Comedy Central show, "The Colbert Report" to write in his name. And they complied, with 230,539 votes. That clobbered Serenity, one of the NASA choices, by more than 40,000 votes. Nearly 1.2 million votes were cast by the time the contest ended Friday.

NASA reserves the right to choose an appropriate name. Agency spokesman John Yembrick said NASA will decide in April, but will give top vote-getters "the most consideration."

Comments

[htd2009]

Colbert's minions not to be effed with, you have been warned.

[miriada]

new room? is it in a new module? I am out of loop... if this room is in the american module, then it can be named by Nasa and voted by american public. But the whole station is called INTERNATIONAL. I love Colbert, but let's be fair.

[KillgoreTrout43]

So what's unfair about it?

[fabhell]

Love it.

[cinesimon]

The other nations get to name their modules - and it's just a bit of fun.
I guess we could spoil it, though!

Anyone feeling left out, should have been paying closer attention to Nasa's doings.
It's not as if this was a secret operation! It was a three-odd month long competition to find a name.

And Colbert one by 40,000 votes!

I believe Nasa have actually told Colbert they would honor the win - but then he may have been bragging...

[Shouc]

Colbert is one of the greatest contemporary Americans. Is NASA seriously going to go all fuddy-duddy and choose a name because they are afraid of comedy? COLBERT COMEDY MODULE, that is primo. Let's bring some humour to space, we need it.

[Forester]

It's called democracy NASA, and besides we payed for the thing - so call it the CCM (Colbert Comedy Module), or else no more money for you!.

[zola77]

lighten up man...sheesh!

[Archivist1000]

Forrester ... ' we paid for the thing' .... hmmm what part of INTERNATIONAL don't you understand???

[KillgoreTrout43]

We paid for that particular part of the whole.

[MarkieBee]

If we paid to build and launch the module then we get to name it. It's that simple.

[cinesimon]

The other nations get to name theirs.

And anyone in the U.S feeling left out: it wasn't a secret operation: they publicized the competition, which was on for months - so you should have been paying closer attention to Nasa - blame yourself!

[loki]

we paid and are paying for Merril Lynch, Citi group, AIG , Bear Sterns, and 90% of wallstreet. You think they will name any of them after the Americans who are paying for them? Nope.

[weatherwaxx]

What part of "voting" don't YOU understand? If NASA asks Americans to vote and offers a write-in option, they should GO WITH THE WINNER -- otherwise the poll was meaningless.

[HRhuffinstuff]

Contained Orbital Living Box Even Recycles Tur.ds?

Ok, admittedly the last 3 of the acronym could use help- anyone do better?

[doctorwang]

lol !! - I don't think I could do any better!!

[weatherwaxx]

yeah, anyone could do better.

[Bitsko]

Does the headline writer ever actually read the stories?

[tililek]

It seems to me that more people will be interested in keeping track and watching the station if it is named COLBERT than a name like Serenity which would put us all to sleep.

[Bitsko]

How does the name of a room in a space station effect how anyone thinks?

[rf-hawaii]

People are funny that way.

[zippywpinhead]

try repainting the walls and see what happens...

[Merin]

Unless you are a fan of Joss Whedon's tv show Firefly and/or movie Serenity. Where the ship's name is Serenity.

Then you'd think it cool

[Fathoms]

Love Firefly, see it on Hulu. Still think the module should be named for Stephen.

[cinesimon]

Serenity has meaning for all Science Fiction fans - who are also the folk who tend to be those with more than a passing interest in this kind of thing...

[weatherwaxx]

No, only for those Sci-fi fans who watched Firefly. This module was voted on by all interested Americans--and if Colbert won, they should honor their own poll!

[proudloudlib]

They really should name it Colbert. It shows both a sense of humor and commitment to doing the people's will.

[llisa]

Not to mention Colbert's awesome power.

[mlaiuppa]

Yes, Colbert won.

But those wishy washy namby pamby Nasa guys are going to name it whatever they want. That's what fine print is for.

[gratonite]

Why not? Colbert is a great American.

[kwinter]

I'm sure Colbert will be his usual humble, gracious self.
Tonight's show should be fun!

[nintendo]

I hope they use Colbert. It would be so funny!

[grailknight]

Colbert won the campaign and got the most votes, unlike a certain 43rd POTUS.

[dzuh]

The voters chose "Colbert" and won this contest fair and square, NASA, so play by your own rules -- if you don't, America's most dangerous satirist is gonna kick you in the metaphorical spaceballs!

[noralou]

Hey, Colbert won. Come on NASA, name it after him -- we need more laughter in the world.