Alien — Historical Timeline

Franchise Overview

The Alien timeline spans from the late 21st century into the 24th. Humanity deciphers ancient star charts, launches deep‑space expeditions, and opens new colonies. Archaeology meets hazard science as crews survey abandoned Engineer sites and encounter advanced bio‑technologies. Commercial interest accelerates exploration; military and corporate policies evolve in step, attempting to formalize how vessels respond to unknown beacons, derelict structures, and unfamiliar organisms.

In 2093, the Prometheus expedition reaches LV‑223 and begins a modern era of discovery and containment. In 2104, the colony ship Covenant diverts to an uncharted world and reinforces hard lessons about quarantine and planetary protection. By 2122, the Nostromo incident on LV‑426 provides the first widely distributed record of the xenomorph life cycle. Later, Colonial Marines respond to Hadley’s Hope, custodial authorities improvise survival on Fiorina 161, and 24th‑century research aboard the USM Auriga revisits the risks of weaponizing biology.

Viewed together, these records outline how curiosity, profit, and survival pressure shape policy. They also explain why, across decades, the best defense remains rapid containment, clear communications, and disciplined procedure when the unknown appears.

Key Timeline Records