KSC-2009-3794

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In the Space Station Processing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the Leonardo multi-purpose logistics module is being prepared for the STS-128 mission to the International Space Station aboard space shuttle Discovery. The module will carry among its science and storage racks the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or C.O.L.B.E.R.T. The treadmill is named after comedian Stephen Colbert, the host of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report.” Colbert urged his viewers to suggest the name “Colbert” as the name for the station’s Node 3 module. Although his name did receive the most entries in an Internet polling contest, NASA chose the name “Tranquility” to honor the accomplishments of the Apollo 11 mission. COLBERT will be installed in Tranquility after the node arrives at the station next year. Launch of STS-128 is targeted for Aug. 7, 2009. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann