[Complete! With TVTropes apparently!]
Also, apparently, an animated trailer.

In a world of brass and steam, Twilight Sparkle had thought she had made a life-changing discovery with the invention of the telescope. For better or worse, she was correct.

Now her discovery has not only changed her life, but the lives of those she seeks out in her desperate attempt to contact the only other creature as lonely as Twilight herself.

It all would have been much simpler, but it had to be the one Twilight could only call The Mare on the Moon.

Decidedly not within walking distance, then.

[Featured on EQD before story was meant to be submitted. 4/03/2015]

[Editing team: Southpaw, Wolfvenom, Maskedferret, SwanSong and BluePaladin42, without whom this story would be a fraction of its current state.]
[Special thanks to Novel-Idea for the updated cover]

Sugar Crush has been working at the Crystal Empire's bakery ever since she had the chance to arrive at the ancient kingdom. Thanks to the crystal ponies and their accepting nature, the thestral found it very easy on fitting in. To compensate for their kindness, Sugar Crush made an active effort to give every customer she had a hug. And with every hug she gave a customer, a free small item came their way.

But one bright afternoon made everything she did change. One customer named Mineral Water refused her hug and free item, prompting Sugar to make the endeavor on giving the resistant crystal pony a simple sign of affection. Little did Sugar know her pursuit would lead into a much bigger picture than she realized.

11/2/17 Made the popular story list! Thanks for finding the story interesting! :D
11/6/17 Holy crap! My story is being featured?! So soon?! D:

Also, a special thank you to Crystal Wishes. You are a huge part of my inspiration when it comes to writing. Thank you.

This story is a sequel to Changeling Space Program

Twilight Sparkle's experimental interplanetary drive has malfunctioned, stranding Starlight Glimmer, Spitfire, Cherry Berry, a changeling and a dragon on a hostile planet in another universe. With limited food supplies, very little magic, no communications with home, and no way to leave the planet, they must survive until somepony rescues them.

Fortunately they crashed right next door to another creature with the exact same problem- a creature named Mark Watney.

They're going to science the buck out of everything- and do whatever it takes to survive Mars and get everybody home.

TVTropes page here! Thanks to GymQuirk for making it!

Commissioned art and fan works from the readers! Thanks, everybody!

This experiment in an updates-daily story was made possible by a generous grant from Canary in the Coal Mine and viewers like you.

(Sex tag for crude talk about sex, but no actual sex in the story.)