The Manifold Earth Universe will follow the effects on the future of the developments of today's science. Specifically, the change in space travel as new inventions, based on what can be found today in popular reports on science and online scientific papers, may be developed. 

Another thread will follow the effect on society if de-globalization (think Brexit) continues unabated.

Of course, settlement beyond Earth will be a third thread. (For Earth-Moon space (Cislunar Space) without any "breakthrough" science (but probable science) see my universe Remembered Earth). 

And finally, the effects these changes may have on humanity reflected in the development of the characters.