SMALL TOWN UNIVERSE explores life in Green Bank, West Virginia, a remote town defined by the National Radio Quiet Zone, where wireless technology restrictions help preserve the work of the Green Bank Telescope. Standing at 485 feet tall, this world-class instrument allows scientists to investigate the mysteries of the universe and search for extraterrestrial life. Beyond its scientific mission, the telescope serves as the town’s economic and cultural backbone, providing jobs, inspiring curiosity, and attracting those seeking refuge from an overly connected world.

The film follows four residents whose lives are deeply intertwined with the telescope's presence: a young woman aspiring to a career in astrophysics, a retired engineer reflecting on his legacy, a longtime resident connected to Green Bank’s history, and a newcomer embracing the town’s off-the-grid lifestyle. As federal funding for the telescope hangs in the balance, each of their lives becomes inextricably linked to the telescope's future.