GODSPEED DISCOVERY. On-time launch, nominal lift-off. The live shots from the new fuel tank camera are rather impressive. At separation these include a view of the lower leading edge of the wings for mission controllers to evaluate.

One of the Fox News commentators stated the obvious, observing that after Challenger's last flight, Discovery's 1989 liftoff would be watched particularly carefully; this time both liftoff and re-entry will be watched particularly carefully. That's a D'Oh! moment. The most dangerous moments of any flight are the takeoff and the landing; I think flyers have known that since 1903.

As of this moment the newsies are speculating about potty breaks for the crew ...