In the year 2002, what was initially thought to be random interference in a new type of receiver technology became recognized as a mysterious automated and repeating signal coming from Mars. ~~~~~
As a result, NASA, in a joint effort with the Russian space program and several other advancing space programs around the world, organize a mission to launch a manned space craft to Mars in the year 2009.~~~~~
Their primary mission is to investigate the signal source, while collecting data to pave the way for future human colonization of Mars for the purpose of long term research.~
The signal from Mars that prompted the rapid mission launch appeared to be encrypted, and was never fully understood, but it was generally believed to be some type of distress signal, perhaps initiated by an alien race thousands, or even millions of years ago, but some suspected it was initiated more recently.
Once the Earth crew reaches Mars, they uncover hidden clues about the signal source and its senders. ~~~
This is when unexplainable phenomena begin to haunt the mission, and untimely deaths are followed by the loss of all communications with Earth. Perhaps too late, astronaut Tyler Anderson learns that the mysterious transmission that brought them to Mars had been misunderstood. ~It was not meant as a call for help but rather...