Earth discovers that the Stargate’s mysterious ninth chevron can be utilized to gate directly to the Ancient ship, the ‘Destiny’ opening up literally the whole universe to explore. But the team will soon discover that they have no way back to Earth, and must ride the ship on its programmed course. The show will go to air in 2009.

Assuming that the SCI FI Channel eventually picks up ‘Stargate Universe’ as a television series, executive producer Brad Wright told GateWorld that the Stargate franchise will be stronger than ever with four “brand” legs to stand on: ‘Stargate SG-1′ and ‘Atlantis’ in the movie format, Universe on television, and the upcoming video game ‘Stargate Worlds’ reaching into yet another medium.

The SCI FI Channel is calling it quits with ‘Stargate Atlantis’ — or at least in its current format — the network confirmed today. The ‘Stargate SG-1′ spin-off series, which began in 2004, will conclude in January with the current, fifth season, finale. It will be closely followed by a 2-hour Atlantis movie, to be aired on SCI FI and released on DVD by MGM.

After four full seasons of stories, enemies and changes in the main cast, David Nykl (”Dr. Radek Zelenka”) remains a phone call away in supporting the mantle of technobabble carried by McKay and his science team.