Build the next arc of my campaign and wanting some feedback on the direction.

So, the next arc of the campaign I'm running is meant to be a bit more 'freeform' for the players. We're a newer group, so I did something of a straightforward initial arc (1-3), and the next few levels I plan on putting the party in a section of underpoliced space (Due to the Dawnline conflict). Basically getting contracted by DoJ/HR to provide humanitarian aide in the region, which is code for putting down some petty warlords and local pirates.

The problem is, I either want to spread this across multiple planets or multiple, close-knit stars. The party does have a ship with a size 1 printer (Planning on getting them an upgrade in order to ensure they're able to support the area with enough feedstock to help reindustrialize it). Now, the multiple systems appealed to me due to having more granularity between the combats, but then time-dilation is going to play merry hell with things. Multiple planets will require answers as to why certain areas are more industrialized than others and why cultures haven't really intermixed. I can try and blame lack of ships due to rising tensions prior to the conflict forcing a shift in IPS-N lines, but even then, they'd have local intersystem craft, barring extreme solar activity. This would make a few story elements a little difficult.

Freeform nature is basically letting them pick the jobs they want. Bounty board style, but with story elements in place to hook them towards a certain direction. I am going to be spiking difficulty a little (Been playing with kid gloves as we're all new), with the explanation being that the tyrants/raiders/etc. have been stealing most of the necessary industry and supplies.

Any advice/feedback would be *greatly* appreciated