Following the destruction of the rockets they have used to try and place satellites into Earth's orbit, space scientist Russ Marvin (Hugh Marlowe) and his new bride, Carol (Joan Taylor) discover that the problem lies with flying saucers and their alien inhabitants. Though hoping to avert a devastating interstellar war, after he and Carol are met with bureaucratic delays, Russ is among the scientists who are kidnapped by the aliens, who demand the Earth's unconditional surrender in less than sixty days. Hoping to beat back the attack, Russ starts to work on a new, high frequency weapon. And in the wake of his success in the showdown over Washington, D.C., Russ is declared a hero.