When earth's resources begin to run out, colony ships are sent out into space to colonize distant planets, to prepare for mankinds eventual departure from the depleted planet we once called home. The Dauntless is one of these colony ships, sent to the distant star Gliese 581, where a cold earthlike planet gives humanity hope for contiuing the species. However, when a distress signal from earth is received, the crew must learn to put aside their differences and work together to rebuild society on a planet that is barely hospitable, and learn to adapt to their new surroundings.