Hangar 18

During the shuttle's launch, a satellite launched from the orbiter collides with an unidentified object that had positioned itself over the shuttle. The collision kills an astronaut in the launch bay, and Bancroft and Price witness the event from aboard the shuttle. The incident triggers immediate questions about what actually happened.

Back on Earth, Bancroft and Price are stonewalled when they try to discuss the incident with officials. Deputy Director Harry Forbes dismissively tells them that 'everything is going to be all right' and offers little support. The lack of cooperation pushes them to seek outside help.

The damaged alien craft makes a controlled landing in the Arizona desert after a descent. It is then transported to Wolf Air Force Base in Texas and stored in Hangar 18 for study. Government officials worry about public knowledge due to an upcoming presidential election.

In Hangar 18, investigators enter the ship and find its two crew dead. They discover a human woman in a stasis chamber who wakes screaming, adding to the mystery. A chemical release from the craft creates a short-lived toxic gas.

On the ship's control panels, symbols match those used by ancient Earth civilizations. Video on the ship's computer reveals extensive surveillance of power plants, military bases, industrial sites and major cities worldwide. This suggests a far-reaching, long-term presence.

Autopsies show that aliens and humans share similar evolutionary processes, challenging the idea of separate origins. A scientist deduces that the ship could not have traveled to Earth on its own and was likely launched from a much larger mother ship.

As Bancroft and Price draw closer to Hangar 18 to uncover the truth, they become targets of government agents. They escape a team that is killed during a high-speed chase, escalating the danger and stakes of their investigation.

Their rental car brakes fail and they careen along roads, finally stopping near a gas refinery. Agents open fire as they flee, so they hijack an oil tanker. Price climbs aboard, releases some gas, lights a flare, and the pursuing agents crash and are killed, but Price is fatally shot.

When Forbes learns of Price's death, he demands Bancroft be taken to Hangar 18. Officials decide to remotely fly an explosives-filled plane into Hangar 18 to destroy evidence of the event, signaling a drastic move to suppress the truth.

Researchers determine that aliens have been to Earth before and are humanity's descendants. Further examination of the video footage reveals that the industrial and military sites are 'designated landing areas,' suggesting the aliens are preparing to return.

Bancroft crashes through the base's security gate and hides in a warehouse. Forbes discovers him and takes him to Hangar 18, where a researcher reveals that the translation of the aliens' language indicates they are about to return.

Just as the researchers reveal the translation indicating an imminent return, a plane crashes into Hangar 18, causing a massive explosion. The next day, a news report claims Bancroft, Forbes and their group survived inside an alien spacecraft.

Forbes schedules a press conference for that afternoon to reveal the truth behind Hangar 18 and the extraterrestrial craft. The plan suggests that the truth may soon reach the public despite the cover-up.