Long-awaited followup to the original 2001: A Space Odyssey. Discovery has been abandoned in orbit around Jupiter. A new space race is underway among the Earth's major space-faring powers to mount a salvage expedition. China surprises the world by launching first, and the U.S.A must join with the Russians if they hope to get there first. Meanwhile, The being formerly known as Dave Bowman returns to share a cryptic message regarding the alien's next plans within our solar system.