[Utah-astronomy] Rover egress: Yikes!

Today's NASA press briefing included video of an engineering model (exact copy) of the Mars rover. They had it on a lander platform last night situated like the one on Mars is (about 45 to 50 cm off the deck). The rover did a little pirouette, turning abut 120 degrees to the egress position and then started down the ramp. Turns out the ramp is at about a 45 degree incline and once the rover's weight was on it the incline increased and the rover lurched over forward. Augh! It didn't tumble and the narrator didn't even mention it but it sure caused me to catch my breath. Patrick (aka Nervous Nellie)