Stargate Universe will take place during the present time, not in the distant future. The show will be "set on a ship that was part of an Ancient experiment" to seed the galaxies with Stargates millions of years ago but that was prematurely ended by the Ancients' ascension. After placing Stargates throughout multiple galaxies, a second ship would follow up and explore. The basis of Stargate Universe is the ninth and final chevron, which previously unknown would serve to get to the first ship.