In 2022, the explosion of an experimental warp gateway caused major damage to the Moon, bathed the Earth with radiation, and left an asteroid ring that threatens the surface with daily meteorite bombardments. As a result, many survivors abandoned the barely-habitable Earth to colonize the inner planets, the asteroid belt and the moons of Jupiter. The show opens in 2071, when the entire Solar System has been made accessible via reliable warp gates. Mars has become the new central hub of human civilization, and interplanetary crime syndicates exert influence over the government and the Inter-Solar System Police (ISSP), limiting their effectiveness in dealing with crime. As a result, a bounty system similar to that in the Old West is established to deal with fugitives, terrorists, and other criminals. The crew of the spaceship Bebop are a partnership of bounty hunters, known as "cowboys", who travel the Solar System trying to apprehend bounties. Jet Black is the owner of the Bebop, but has partnered with Spike Spiegel for his diverse combat skills. During its travels, the Bebop gains new crew members, much to the visible annoyance of both Jet and Spike.