
Source: Space.com
Now that it's finished, the International Space Station needs one more thing: a name. For years, NASA officials have simply called it 'ISS', or, 'the station.' But now that the 15 year, $100 billion project is complete, many space program fans are suggesting that the main countries who support the station, namely the United States, Russia, Canada, Europe, and Japan, get together and come up with an official moniker.
During the first mission to the station, Expedition 1, NASA astronaut Bill Shepard nicknamed the station 'Alpha', and it's been used informally during subsequent missions. Personally, I like Alpha, but that name should really be saved for the first permanent Moon base.
Contributed by Marc Morisseau