The Stark Initiative is a collection of some of humanities greatest minds, brought together with the goal of helping our species to thrive.  Given some of the finest tech around, and an absurd budget,  and a fleet of vessels, the Stark Initiative was formed  with the idea that keeping all of our eggs in one basket is a bad idea.  So they are sent out to the vastness of space, where they can explore, and if the Zura should return, they can hide.  Science will be how humanity survives, and the Stark Initiative might be our best hope.