Humanity's last remnants are embroiled in a perpetual war with a cybernetic race called the Cylons. The Twelve Colonies of Man, a distant civilization descended from Earth, have been at peace following an armistice, but the Cylons launch a treacherous attack, facilitated by a traitorous human, annihilating the colonies and the majority of their inhabitants. Only the Battlestar Galactica, a massive spaceship commanded by the seasoned Commander Adama, survives the onslaught along with a ragtag fleet of civilian ships. Adama gathers the survivors, and they begin a desperate search for a new home, a fabled planet known only in the ancient scriptures – Earth.

As the Galactica leads the fleet through space, the survivors must contend with internal strife, limited resources, and the relentless pursuit of the Cylon forces. A hotshot fighter pilot, Apollo, and his daredevil friend, Starbuck, become pivotal in the defense against Cylon attacks, engaging in thrilling dogfights and strategizing battle plans. Meanwhile, political tensions emerge as some question Adama's leadership and the feasibility of finding Earth. Amidst this, the civilians must adapt to life in space, facing the fear of extinction and the loss of their world, while holding onto hope for a new beginning and the mythic Earth that promises salvation.