It is a scene straight from a Westminster thriller. British astronauts aboard the International Space Station have given a round of applause. The Royal Air Force watches from below.
The background is a tense standoff between Russia and the West over a rogue satellite. But the real story is closer to home. The PM is quietly briefing that this is a 'British success story'.
He wants a photo op. Number 10's spinner has already drafted the press release. Cue the union flags.
But insiders are nervous. One senior backbencher told me: 'This is not a PR stunt. This is about hard power.
The RAF is doing actual orbital safety monitoring. If something goes wrong, it's on him.' The polling is tight.
A cabinet revolt is simmering over defence spending. The PM needs a win. But the question is whether this is a triumph or a trap.
The astronauts see Earth from above. Westminster sees the next election.
