Just watched it live on this side of the pond too, and agree, after watching Challenger all those years ago, I genuinely felt quite anxious. Those astronauts are so, so courageous. Apparently it will be the furtherest any human has been from Earth.
Was lucky enough to be in Florida when Discovery was launched, but on the Gulf coast side. We watched it live on TV then ran outside and were able to see the flare from the space shuttle from the other side of the state before it left the atmosphere.
I’ll be following the whole 10 day mission with interest.