I participated in NaNoWriMo 2006 - the National Novel Writing Month, and successfully wrote a 50,000+ word novel - Field.
The first dozen or so pages [1] start with a couple sent into orbit dealing with isolation, then flashes back to the middle of the problem that sent them up there in the first place.
I enjoyed writing it, and you'll find it quite enjoyable if you enjoy a bit of science fiction, set in our time.
You can get all 220 pages as a download or book [2] for a very reasonable price.
Click here to buy the book or PDF [3]
Click here to read the beginning sample [4]