The novel is set in a future where humanity has established colonies on other planets. The story focuses on a space mission involving the spaceship Aphrodite, which is on a critical rescue mission. The crew faces various challenges as they encounter strange alien civilizations and navigate through dangerous regions of space.The title "S.O.S. Aphrodite!" hints at a distress signal, suggesting that the crew of the Aphrodite may be in grave danger or facing a significant crisis. The narrative explores themes of space exploration, survival, and the complex dynamics of human and alien interactions.