Back in the 2000s space sci fi was either obscure hardcore sci fi stuff and gung ho Baen military stuff.
Now since 2013 we have seen an explosion of all new space opera universes with all new characters and stories!
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/sci-fi-fantasy/draft-babylons-ashes/
https://io9.gizmodo.com/with-honors-knight-rachel-bachs-space-opera-trilogy-ge-1570457064
What has lead to this revival?