The news that Nasa is to allow the public to choose the name of the latest module to be attached to the International Space Station has led to mass action by fans of the cult TV show Firefly.

For those who aren't familiar with the show it was created by Buffy creator Joss Whedon as a Western set in space. The show gained a loyal following but Fox pulled it after one season. Since then the show has gained a loyal, and some would say crazed, band of followers, including many in the technology community.

As an example of their devotion to the show (and subsequent film 'Serenity') fans had a whip round and raised enough money for a full page advert in Variety asking for the show's return. Every year they also raise thousands of dollars for Whedon's favourite charities. They sometimes call themselves Browncoats (a show reference) and make Trekkies look like under-acheivers.

The news about Nasa holding a naming vote seems to have got around the internet faster than naked pictures of Vannesa Hudgens. The name Serenity was always going to be on the list - it has a lot of fans in Nasa, and DVDs for the series and film are already on the space station.

Sure enough, a quick scan of the Nasa vote this morning shows the voting for Serenity running at 85 per cent of votes cast, including mine. Looks like the good ship Serenity will make it into space after all.

26 Feb 2009