Explore the fascinating journey of NASA geochemist Jennifer Stern as she recounts the challenges and triumphs of developing instruments for the Mars Curiosity Rover. Gain an insider's perspective on the rigorous testing process in Earth's harshest environments, from landfills to remote locations. Discover how these instruments are designed to search for the building blocks of life in Martian rocks. Learn about the unexpected ways scientists cope with field work stress, including Stern's involvement in a Norwegian death metal band. Delve into the intricate world of space exploration technology and the human experiences behind groundbreaking scientific endeavors in this engaging 22-minute podcast episode from AGU's Third Pod from the Sun series.