Space operas were basically Old West tales in space.

Is Star Trek considered a space opera? How about Star Wars? There are questions of what defines a space opera over just a science fiction novel set in space. There are often fantastic abilities associated with space operas in addition to technology, including psychic prowess, advanced mental powers, or unexplained abilities such as Star Wars' Force Powers.Some space opera include Alien life forms (but many early ones did not).Humanity spread out through the galaxy (or even multiple galaxies).scientifically advanced future societies built around amazing technologies.Science fiction is the parent genre, space opera is a sub-genre specifically targeting: The term has no relation to music but is instead a play on the term 'soap opera'. Space opera is a subgenre of science fiction that often emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in outer space, usually involving conflict between opponents possessing advanced abilities, weapons, and other technology. Once considered a pejorative, it has slowly become an accepted term. Space Opera is a subset genre positing a relatively optimistic future of grand technologies, space faring civilizations both Human and Alien and often a tumultuous relationship between them.

It often explores the potential consequences of scientific and other innovations, and has been called a 'literature of ideas.' (Wikipedia: Science Fiction) Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginative content such as futuristic settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, time travel, faster than light travel, parallel universes and extraterrestrial life. Science Fiction is the genre heading for a kind of literature which uses extrapolations of scientific, engineering or social theories to posit a point in time where those ideas change society for better or worse (usually worse).

Is star wars a space opera