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Oops: Colbert wins NASA space station name contest

Mon Mar 23, 2009 4:14 PM EDT
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Associated Press

In this Monday, March 5, 2007 file photo, Stephen Colbert poses in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow, file)

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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."

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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Michael Sautter

You did it Heroes! Now do the right thing NASA - listen to the people! 'Serenity' sounds like an air freshener and not a module for the space station.

  • 4 votes
Reply#1 - Mon Mar 23, 2009 5:50 PM EDT
Jayadalla

I don't think it sounds like a name you'd give an air freshener, but it definitely sounds like a name NASA "borrowed" from Firefly.

  • 1 vote
#1.1 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 7:54 AM EDT
Michael Sautter

Maybe 'serenity' for a aromatherapy candle then?
Mr. Colbert said air freshener so I went with that.

  • 1 vote
#1.2 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:39 AM EDT
Rainkiss

I've got no issue with using "Serenity" from Firefly. Great show.

But, hey, getting write-in votes for Colbert is great, too, pity Stewart didn't think of it as well.

    #1.3 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:07 PM EDT
    Reply
    Michael Sautter

    "Serenity now, insanity later."
             Lloyd Braun (Seinfeld)

    • 1 vote
    Reply#2 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 10:51 AM EDT
    jasontgoodrich

    NASA has to follow through on naming it Colbert because of the huge PR boost he has generated for the agency. Not only did this stunt (and it was) remind people that NASA is doing important missions, but it got people to respond. May not have been what they were thinking, but NASA set out the rules. It's not like people sent in a crude word.

    What's more, Colbert already had a cheeky realtionship with NASA. If you remember, a digitized version of his DNA was taken to the International Space Station by gamester Richard Garriot. Colbert also did an interview with an astronaut orbiting aboard the ISS.

    Arguably Colbert has done more than anyone to make NASA cool.

    • 1 vote
    Reply#3 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 12:10 PM EDT
    Roy Batty

    Agreed. And to not use the elected name might create some negative feelings about NASA.

    If you have a contest with rules you should follow through on whatever the outcome is. As long as the selection isn't obscene or insulting in any way, it should be used!

    NASA, your credibility is now at test.

    • 2 votes
    #3.1 - Thu Mar 26, 2009 2:39 PM EDT
    Reply
    Jon_in_Texas

    Yes! And I voted for the name! This should be interesting and yes, Colbert deserves it especially after the Election 08 let-down...President Colbert would've been nice.

      Reply#4 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:32 PM EDT
      Roy Batty

      ---SOMETIME IN THE FUTURE---

      The space station room Colbert has been constructed, launched, attached to the Space Station and pressurized. The astronauts open the door for the first time. The first floats in an sniffs at the air. He turns to the other and says.....

      (drum roll please)

      "It smells a little funny in here!"

      hahahahahaha.

      • 2 votes
      Reply#5 - Tue Mar 24, 2009 1:33 PM EDT
      carolina-isabel

      I really hope NASA doesn't decide to take his name off. I really hope it stays the Stephen Colbert room. I think if nothing else, it'll make for new unlikely NASA enthusiasts.

        Reply#6 - Wed Mar 25, 2009 11:14 AM EDT
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