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Update #2: The launch of STS-128 has been scrubbed due to an uncooperative valve:

Shuttle managers will hold a standard post-scrub meeting at 7:15p.m. EDT regarding the launch attempt of Discovery that was called off earlier today after a problem developed with a liquid hydrogen fill-and-drain valve in the aft compartment of the shuttle. A news briefing will be held after that meeting concludes and will air on NASA TV.

Regarding the valve, when launch controllers commanded it to close, they did not receive the "closed" indication. There is a concern that the valve is either open or partially open, but that needs to be evaluated for confirmation.

A new launch date and time for Discovery's STS-128 mission has not been set at this time.

Update: Due to weather concerns (lightning throughout the area and visibility just under acceptable levels) this morning's launch has been re-scheduled for 1:10 AM tomorrow (that is, tonight). I'll post some pics as soon as they're available.

Of course, the acronym refers to the "Combined Operational Load Bearing External Resistance Treadmill," but it's also an homage to the Comedy Central satirist who successfully urged his viewers to submit his name for a new room on the International Space Station.

This isn't your run-of-the-mill treadmill, though. The vibrations from the treadmill must be damped so that its motion doesn't interfere with the operation of the ISS. And as one of the project engineers notes,

The one tradeoff? Perhaps fitting for a treadmill named after Stephen Colbert, it is loud.

"Noise and reliability are fighting against each other here," [COLBERT project manager Curt] Wiederhoeft said. "With a lot more time we could have had both quiet and reliable. We went for reliable, and did what we could with noise."

Heh. Heh. Heh.

STS-128 is scheduled to lift off at 1:38 am Tuesday, and the countdown looks good so far. You can get the latest updates the official NASA site, or follow on Twitter.

Edited to add link to eWeek article