It is now six years later, in the year 2088. Command cadet Jonathan Hays, twenty-one, and his best friend Jessie "Beanie" Bienstock, a 14-year-old computer specialist, are among the young military cadets chosen to serve as the crew of "Earth*Star Voyager", the planet's newest interstellar vessel. Due to worsening ecological conditions on Earth, there is a plan in place to evacuate the planet and colonize another world. (This mission is noted on the cover of the German VHS: "see image at right"). Probes have been sent out six years ago via the "Vanguard Explorer", and one has sent data back on Berenson's Star; she has a life-zone planet which has been named "Demeter". The mission of "Earth*Star Voyager" is to go to Demeter, perform a full planetary survey and return that information because if conditions on Demeter prove accurate (the probe's data indicates that human life could survive on Demeter), then the human race will colonize the world. The plan to colonize Demeter has already begun; ships are already being built to transport the population but will take forty years to complete construction of all the necessary vessels, and the trip to Demeter, with "plasma-thrust" engines and the Bauman Drive (named for Professor Bauman, the creator) will take 26 years. That was the rationale of choosing the crew from the Academy—for their youth and intelligence. Jonathan, as second-in-command, will assume command if Forbes is shown to be unable to continue his duties due to age. It is also mentioned that a modified form of cryogenic suspension will be used by the crew during the voyage in order to slow the ageing process. (Beanie mentions that he'll be forty years old upon their return to Earth, and Captain Forbes also mentions that, although the process will slow their ageing, they will still age.)