Early Interplanetary Era: What types of stories fit best?

I've got this future scenario in mind and I'm trying to figure out what types of stories it is good for. I have a few ideas, but I'd like to see what you can come up with:

It is the early 22nd century and humans have finally managed to established a lasting presence in space. But it's less like Heinlein and more like a mix between Antarctica and Cold War Submarine Warfare. There are plenty of space stations in low-earth orbit and lunar outposts; some for research, other s for tourism, others are little more than glorified mining rigs. Most of them depend on the convoy traveling to Earth and back for the supplies without which they would all die. After all, where they work is remote, costly to reach and implacably indifferent to human life . But at some point a few might last long enough to become self-sufficient and then form small towns in space.

Meanwhile the presence of Earth looms over all of them, as does it's politics. Great powers compete over each others space assets in an intricate game. Destroying convoys before they can supply a rival's outpost/space station, protecting one's own convoys from destruction, surveillance and counter-surveillance. Essentially, a sub story in space.

And then there's the possibility that something might either be found or go wrong out in the black... maybe life on Mars or Europa, maybe a Bracewell probe,maybe a research outpost was working on a secret project gone horribly wrong. Or even horribly right. Whatever the case, a team of investigators has to be sent. Interpersonal stories might also work here, That's what I've got so far.

edited 13th Jul '12 8:17:29 PM by goldenerasuburb

I've always thought this sort of thing is a fun milieu for science fiction (though as writing goes I prefer your more wide-screen space operas), and it seems to be growing in popularity these days. I suggest you take a look at the current published SF field if you need ideas, though all of these sound good to me.

Actually, this sounds a lot like a good setting for a Western if you ask me.

...And on that note, let me recommend you not write a Space Western. They're boring and overdone.

Maybe so, but a good one really hits the spot.

...Not really. Although I should probably amend my previous statement - "boring" isn't the right word, although I'm not really sure what it is just yet.

But I'd rather not derail this thread into an attack on Space Westerns.

edited 13th Jul '12 9:08:34 PM by nrjxll

Maybe something less obvious, like a dramatic slice-of-life work or a comedy of errors.