The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) is attempting in many ways to be more transparent, using interactive projects to re-engage the older generation in the new aims of the space program, and appeal to newer generations who missed the first space race.
Mars and the International Space Station (ISS) factor largely into NASA’s new visions. Current participatory programs invited school children to name the new Mars Rover, to be dispatched to the red planet in 2011. Over 9,000 students submitted essays, and voting is underway on the finalists. Another communal project called Mission Madness invites people of all ages to vote for NASA missions of various eras in a sports playoff- style bracket.
Yet another asked the public to name a new module for the space station, currently known simply as Node 3. NASA asked its audience to choose a name that will "reflect the spirit of exploration and cooperation embodied by the space station, and follow in the tradition set by Node 1 - Unity and Node 2 - Harmony."
Instead, a popular television comedian won. Will astronauts soon conduct experiments in Node Colbert?
The space agency’s suggested names were: Serenity, Earthrise, Legacy and Venture. Of these, "Serenity" won by a landslide margin, taking 70% of the multiple-choice vote. However, Stephen Colbert’s fans eclipsed this number with 230,539 write-ins, after he appealed to them on the air to suggest his surname.
Over a million votes had been cast by the time the open-vote ended, and other suggestions included: Vista, Enterprise, Gaia, Xenu, Tranquility and Vision.
Comedy Central seems pretty sure NASA didn’t see that one coming. Or did they?
The not-so-fine, and in fact rather blatant print in the original Contest Rules states: "NASA will take into consideration the results of the voting. However, results are not binding and NASA reserves the right to ultimately select a name in accordance with the best interests of the agency. Such name may not necessarily be one which is on the list of voted-on candidate names. NASA’s decision shall be deemed final."
Clearly, someone understood the power of media, the power of comedy -- and the outside chance that some goof with a sizeable fan base might stir viewers into gleefully ironic efforts at skewing the vote. But that vote, while amusing, may or may not be suitable. NASA's motto is "For the benefit of all" and their business is seeking breakthroughs in the name of humanity. It's hard to imagine they will want to make history with Unity, Harmony and Colbert.
Node 3 is due to be delivered to the ISS in February 2010 by Space Shuttle Endeavor.
Source:
http://www.nasa.gov/externalflash/name_ISS/index.html
http://ccinsider.comedycentral.com/2009/03/23/breaking-colbert-wins-nasas-node-3-naming-contest/
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