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NASA To Announce Module Name On Colbert Show
olddotter noted that NASA's Facebook page says "NASA's newest module for the International Space Station will get a new name on April 14. The agency plans to make the announcement with the help of Expedition 14 and 15 astronaut Sunita 'Suni' Williams on Comedy Central's 'The Colbert Report.' The program will air at 11:30 p.m. EDT."
The USS Jon Stewart.
Ok, everybody. There was a lot of talk about the name of this module. We are on the Colbert Report tonight to talk about what name we picked after all the submissions. Tonight, we are glad to announce that the name will be, Jonathan Stewart!
Sig? No thanks. I don't smoke.
You'd assume this means they decided to name it after him...wanna bet?
If the toilet can be named the "crapper," the urine->water module can be named the "colbert" with no problem!
NASA actually needs to start moving more into the public eye and pop culture again. The general public won't care about space exploration until there's a joint mission with Britney Spears and Dale Jr. onboard (I'll wait for the obligatory Challenger-type jokes). Otherwise, people will go "WTF are we spending money on space for?" I'm no fan of government spending for anything, as it involves confiscated taxes, but at least space exploration might lead to some real progress again.
The program will air at 11:30 p.m. EDT. The name, which will not be publicly released until the program airs."
The paragraph, which will not make sense until this sentence is substantially revised.
"You're right," Fisheye says. "I should have set it on 'whip' or 'chop.'"
"The name, which will not be publicly released until the program airs."
I know this is slashdot, but can we at least have complete sentences? Please?
Generally, bash is superior to python in those environments where python is not installed.
that the same person Colbert would vote for if he himself were not running.
Nullius in verba
The summary, which the editors did not read.
Is this some sort of crazy neo-yoda-speak? Am I missing out on a new meme? :(
Their may be a grammatical error, misspeling, or evn a typo in this post.
This is probably the first time in 10 years news about NASA has stuck in my mind. Sure some scientific stuff is interesting to read... sure I hear press releases and news tidbits, but those go in one ear out the other. This is the best "stick to your ribs" news (aka marketing) NASA has made with the post baby boomers.
No comprende? Let me type that a little slower for you...
Land toilet -> crapper, ship's toilet -> head, space toilet -> colbert
Let's start a campaign. From now on a space toilet shall be a "colbert".
Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
The real news was that this was announced on the NASA Facebook page. The medium is always the message - as Colbert's success demonstrates.
I know its been covered a lot elsewhere (scienceblogs.com) but I don't think it can be understated. Colbert Report is a great venue for science, a wonderful public face. He's had on lots of scientists, more than any show I can recall in a couple decades.
I don't recall the last fun show that had the host actually talking to an Astronaut in orbit.
So even if NASA goes with Serenity for the name, I'm glad they went onto Colbert to announce it.
I think, judging by their chosen venue, the name they release will be obvious. To do otherwise would just be tacky.
"Yes, we'll get all the recognition we can from your show, but not scratch your back in kind."
Glad they went with it, as it was the winner. Aside from that, the name marks much more than anything like Serenity would.
Serenity shows the world what? There are a few scifi geeks in NASA? At most, maybe that they find inspiration in grand goals. Naming it Colbert, on the other hand, signifies a return to pop-culture significance. That the people are excited about space again. Or at the very least, naming it after Colbert will ensure that the module stays in the public eye as he continues his "status updates" (like he did for his baby eagle and a few other stunts). It would be a huge missed marketing opportunity NOT to name it after a television host who has supported science more than any other in recent history.
Of course, they already know this. That's why it's being revealed on his show.
I'd like to watch this show, but I don't have cable. It's very nice that they have full episodes available on Colbert Nation. However, is there any way to watch the show online Tuesday night? Does anyone know how long they wait before putting that night's show onto the web?
Bloody yanks! The proper term is crappiæ.
Good to see you agree! Fidel isn't some capitalist pig-dog like Obama. Amazing that this site is so full of people who agree!
Did you mention the cameo appearances by Sean Hannity and the Back Street Boys?
Serenity now! Serenity now! SERENITY NOW!
Hehe, I loved that episode. What is this "Firefly" you speak of? Was it on before or after Seinfeld?
NASA guy introduces Patrick Stewart who walks out in robes and a crown and says, "From this day forth, all the toilets in space shall be known as... Colberts!" Then he beams off the stage. They don't even have to name the module just all the toilets. I'd be happy even though I voted Colbert.
~~ Behold the flying cow with a rail gun! ~~
These mistakes would be less common if people would use parenthesis where they can be used.
It's unlikely that anyone would write:
The name (which will not be publicly released until the program airs).
Commas are often seen (and taught) as superior to parenthesis in style. I disagree. I've been pleased to find that some authors use parenthesis. I've noticed in particular that the Nobel price winner Orhan Pamuk used plenty of parenthesis in his book "Istanbul".
...his followers to name the module after one of the phrases flashed during the opening sequence of his show. I would have loved to see it named "Multigrain".
It must have been something you assimilated. . . .
The name to be announced will be "Colbert's Serenity", as in being in the the state of "serenity" while sitting on the "Colbert".
If this shows up in tomorrow's episode, Colbert owes me $50,000 for my writer's fee.
Slashdot's rate-of-post filter: Preventing you from posting too many great ideas at once.
Actually, I think that announcing it on the show is an attempt at a graceful way to say "no."
Note that "Enterprise" has a long history even outside of fiction. A USS Enterprize was one of the most famous ships of the wars against the Barbary Pirates, c. 1800. As far as I know, that's not the case for the name Serenity.
I wouldn't knock the word "Enterprise" as a cool name either. It's similar to "Endeavor," "Adventure," "Challenge" and related concepts of hurtling into danger. I think the word "Adventurer" originally referred not just to seafaring traders/explorers but to their financial backers as well, so even "Adventure" has a corporate-finance connotation. We just usually say "venture" instead.
Revive the Constitution.
Is that it took all this time for NASA to figure out they should probably team up and help promote themselves through one of the most popular tv shows on earth once they had become a fixture on that show. It's almost like Colbert said to NASA, "Hey, guys. Here's a gift. Don't screw it up." It looks like they just may not, at that.
that will be named Bush or cheney. Always full of crap and fails a lot.
Why can't we call it a Colbert on land too? "I'm heading to the Colbert to take a Colbert." "Man, my Colbert stinks! I shouldn't have had those tacos for lunch." One if by land, two if by Colbert.
For the record, I love the Colbert Report. Especially the one a week or so ago where he lambasted Glen Beck for making his career off of 9/11. Colbert and Stewart are amazing.
Whatever name is announced to the public, The engineers, mission controllers, and astronauts will call it "Node 3". That's what we have been calling it all through the design stage. For example, in this photo, you can see the hatch is labeled "To LAB", short for US Laboratory Module, not "Destiny".
http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/060707/060707_last-hatch_hmed_1p.hmedium.jpg
Transcript of NASA segment from the April 14th, 2009 Colbert show.
Colbert: As many of our watchers will recall, NASA recently had a contest allowing the public to vote for the new name for "Node 3", the newest module of the International Space Station. Thanks to you, my fans, the highest voted name was "Colbert". However, NASA reserves the right to select any name they choose, regardless of the results of the contest, leaving many wondering if my prestigious and time honored name will indeed grace the new module.
(laughter from audience)
Colbert: Tonight, we have a very special guest from NASA - a two time visitor to the International Space Station - here to officially announce the selected name. Please offer a warm welcome for Astronaut Sunita Williams!
(audience cheers) Sunita walks on stage, shakes hands with Colbert.
Colbert: Thank you for coming.
Sunita: It's a pleasure to be here.
Colbert: I know we are all waiting to hear what NASA has decided, but first tell the audience a little about yourself.
(Snipped for brevity - read about her here. She was one of the astronauts to use the ametuer radio stations on the station to talk with school children - very cool stuff.)
Colbert: Thank you "Suni". You've done some amazing things, and we look forward to the contributions yet to come. (applause from audience) Ok, it looks like we might have a revolt on our hands if we don't cut to the chase. NASA has chosen you to officially announce - here, tonight - the name of the newest module for the International Space Station.
Sunita: Yes.
Colbert: Then, without further delay, Sunita Williams, ladies and gentlemen.
Suinita: Thank you. "Node 3", as it has been known, is the newest addition to the ISS, due to be sent up February 2010. It will provide life support systems, including water recycling and oxygen generation, for the ISS. Tonight, it is my great honor to announce on behalf of NASA that it has now, officially, been renamed "Xenu". (laughter from audience) No, seriously.
(Sunita can't keep her face straight, causing Colbert to break from script with a smile. Sunita breaks into laughter)
Colbert: We are going to get sued for this.
End Transcript - sorry, you're going to have to wait for tomorrow's airing for the revelation of the true name.
Oh, was that my outside voice?