Same for me. 
From wiki article:
On April 14, 2009, Astronaut “Suni” Sunita Williams appeared on The Colbert Report, and announced the name of the node to be Tranquility. However, the treadmill the astronauts use for excercise, will be named “C.O.L.B.E.R.T.” for “Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill” and this will be located in Tranquility.
Aww boo!
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html
This sucks with the power of 1001 suns. Thanks Colbert. Without your bullsh*t muddying the waters I have no doubt “Serenity” would have taken the prize.
“Tranquility” has been chosen as the new name, in homage to Apollo 11’s Tranquility Base. Colbert gets an onboard treadmill named after him.
I haven’t read this thread, so forgive me if this was already posted.
This is a cool animation of the construction of the ISS.
I can completely understand Tranquility winning. Its deserving. However i would have liked at least a mention of why they didn’t choose Serenity in the article. Or wish they would at least say they would be willing to think about that name for something in the future
Serenity should have won. It fits the naming scheme and it WON aside from Colbert. NASA really just paid lip service to the Colbert fans (which was good) and then decided they wanted to name it something else to no benefit. Boo, NASA. Boo.
I’m not even a big Firefly guy (I only like the Jaynesville episode, really, and maybe Out of Gas). But it still sucks.
I can understand the disappointment with the name chosen. However, having sour grapes with Stephen isn’t really warranted, he brought more attention to the space progrma than it’s seen in years. That they seemed to have a little fun with him makes it an even bigger win for NASA itself. Frankly, I think they planned on naming it Tranquility all along, the on-line poll was just a gimmick.
Yup, it was allllll marketing. Nothing more, nothing less.
When I saw Tranquility on the poll I had a feeling that NASA would name it in honor Apollo 11’s 40th anniversary. The voting was just a way to draw attention to the space station program.
But I wanted it to be named Serenity so that’s what I voted for and hoped that NASA would honor the voters choice…though just not naming it after that frakkin Colbert. Toilet would have been more appropriate with all the craaaap he slings. 
I think you hit the nail on the head. It’s just that once again, fans had a great opportunity to publicize their appreciation of the show, got their hopes pinned up high and got a less than optimal result.
But I think that Tranquility is a fine name, I wouldn’t have been ashamed of Colbert. And quite honestly, venture would have given me a cheap, nerd thrill as well.
Apparently, the last place name was “Fart Monkey” which got 7 votes.
I think its awesome that Colbert got something. It doesn’t bother me that Serenity didnt win, because Tranquility is nice too.
Yeah, but why do the poll? Now I’m pissed at NASA.
Eh, government employees. I mean, exact OPPOSITE side of the fight and all that…
Thank you Pike. Exactly.
The poll was a publicity stunt, I completely agree, and I’ve got no problem with that in any way. And it worked, even before Mr Colbert involved himself. I visited the site repeatedly to vote, (for Serenity), and was pleased each time to see the name had a commanding lead throughout the voting period. I read all the information on the site and followed to other linked sites. Learned quite a bit in the process. All good. Love the space program, I’ve met many astronauts and administrators in my time and they are all fantastic people.
But if you say you’re taking a vote, and you have thousands of people, (dare I say taxpayers?) invest their time becoming involved in the process, and then you make a completely arbitrary decision based on an undisclosed agenda, you’re being dishonest to the people who are, after all, footing the bill for the whole shebang. Just leaves a sour taste. Name the damn thing Colbert, if he won fairly.
I’m reminded of a certain Presidential race…Roslin vs. Baltar, perhaps??
Gore v Bush? HMMM!!! :eek: