07-04-09 Astronauts Would Live in Space Module 'Colbert'

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station say they would welcome the arrival of the outpost's new orbital room, even if it is named after comedian Stephen Colbert.NASA astronaut Michael Barratt currently living aboard the space station said he is confident the right name will be chosen for the outpost's new Node 3,which is slated to be delivered early next year."I'm sure that the right people will make the right decision," Barratt told reporters via a video link last week."We'll be happy to live in the node whatever it's called." The node name game.Colbert,a comedian and host of Comedy Central's faux-conservative show "The Colbert Report," urged his fans to write in his name during NASA's recent online poll to name Node 3. When voting ended in late March,Colbert's name had amassed more than 230,000 votes,far outdistancing NASA's top suggestion "Serenity" by 40,000 votes.NASA's poll rules clearly state the agency has the final word on Node 3's name."NASA will take into consideration the results of the voting.However,the results are not binding on NASA and NASA reserves the right to ultimately select a name in accordance with the best interests of the agency,its needs,and other considerations," the rules state. "Such name may not necessarily be one which is on the list of voted-on candidate names.NASA's decision shall be deemed final."Still,Colbert has continued to campaign for his name.He called on NASA to maintain "democracy in orbit" during a recent episode of his show and renewed his bid on Monday night."NASA,don't make me strap a rocket to an intern and launch him into space with a can of spray paint," Colbert said during Monday's episode of his show.Some sources have suggested NASA might meet Colbert's fans halfway and name Node 3's toilet after the comedian.NASA is expected to reveal the final name soon, agency officials have said