Colbert to broadcast a NASA message

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Aug. 24 (UPI) -- The U.S. space agency said it would broadcast a message from comedian Stephen Colbert Monday as it prepared to launch the "Colbert treadmill" into space.

The message was set to air on NASA television after space shuttle Discovery's fueling concluded (at approximately 7:15 p.m. EDT).

Discovery is to, among other things, deliver the treadmill to the International Space Station.

The name Colbert received the most entries in NASA's online poll to name the station's Node 3 module, so NASA named its new space station treadmill the Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill, or Colbert. NASA named the module Tranquility.

Discovery and its seven-member crew are to lift off at 1:36 a.m. EDT Tuesday on a 13-day mission to deliver scientific experiments, equipment and supplies to the station.

NASA TV streaming video, downlink and schedule information is available at http://www.nasa.gov/ntv. After the initial broadcast, Colbert's video also will be available at http://www.youtube.com/NASATelevision.