Ark-N-Sky (space ark)

When their home planet was going to be destroyed because their central star was going to go nova the population of Fontis was distributed over space arks that would carry them away from the soon-be-gone planet.

Hundreds of arks of various type were constructed, loaded up with everything they would need for a centuries-long trip, and sent off in every direction. Some would remain adrift forever, while others broke down within decades because the experimental tech they were based on proved unreliable.