It is the year 2057 and the Earth is in trouble. Humanity’s only hope is to colonize another planet. An attempt to terraform Mars seems to be failing so an intrepid band of American specialists including mechanical systems engineer Robby Gallagher (Val Kilmer), scientific analyst Dr. Quinn Burchenal (Tom Sizemore), macho Air Force officer Lt. Ted Santen (Benjamin Bratt), inexperienced scientist Chip Pettengill (Simon Baker) and chief science officer Dr. Bud Chantillas (Terence Stamp) is sent to determine why. Mars-1 sets off in the capable hands of Mission Commander Kate Bowman (Carrie-Anne Moss). When a solar flare causes the exploration craft to be destroyed in a crash the crew must make their way back to the mother ship now manned solely by Commander Bowman. Despite orders from Houston Control (Bob Neill) Commander Bowman refuses to leave the men behind especially Gallagher in whom she has a personal interest. A robot run amok, strange alien bugs, hostile terrain and the personalities and beliefs of the astronauts themselves all combine to make survival next to impossible.