AceShowbiz -

Syfy is setting up another war on space. The network is handing out a straight-to-series order to space odyssey "The Expanse", which is based on the best-selling novel series of the same name by James S.A. Corey, the pen name of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck.

Set 200 years in the future, the drama follows a hardened detective and a rogue ship's captain as they race across the solar system to expose what could be the greatest conspiracy in history. Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby, who co-wrote "Iron Man", will serve as writers and executive producers.

"The Expanse is epic in scale and scope and promises to be Syfy's most ambitious series to date," says Syfy President Dave Howe. "[It] joins a killer line-up of high-concept, high quality series, along with recently announced original projects 'Ascension', '12 Monkeys', the renewal of 'Helix', and the soon to premiere 'Dominion'."

Syfy is trying to go back to its sci-fi/fantasy roots following the end of "Battlestar Galactica". There's no premiere date set just yet for the 10-episode sci-fi drama series. The network recently also picked up zombie-themed "Z Nation" to series.