Special Visitor at the International Space Station
Date: September 19, 2026
A delightful surprise greeted the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this year as Pikachu, the beloved Pokémon, embarked on a secret mission to promote the European Space Agency (ESA). The plush toy spent 67 days aboard the ISS from April 11 to June 17, successfully completing over 1,040 orbits around Earth.
Pikachu was delivered to the ISS via a Northrop Grumman Cygnus cargo spacecraft and returned home aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule. Clad in a custom white spacesuit complete with a personalized mission patch, Pikachu accompanied ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her ongoing mission. The announcement of this unique collaboration coincides with the launch of a traveling exhibition dedicated to both space exploration and Pokémon, which will tour ESA sites and major European museums.
Exhibition Highlights
The exhibition debuted during ESA’s Open Days at its Paris headquarters. It aims to engage the public in scientific topics using Pokémon characters. Among the features was a statue of Pikachu in his spacesuit and informational panels introducing the collaboration.
ESA’s Director General, Josef Aschbacher, expressed excitement about this partnership, stating, “Through this collaboration with Pokémon, we are unlocking new ways for people across Europe to connect with space.” This initiative seeks to inspire curiosity and a sense of wonder about the universe while highlighting upcoming opportunities in space.
Interactive Experiences and Merchandise
The family-friendly exhibition will have interactive displays exploring ESA’s various missions, including astronaut support, solar studies, and exploration beyond the Solar System. Additionally, an exciting collaboration will bring Pokémon GO to life, with in-game activations aligned with World Space Week from October 4 to April 30, 2027. Trainers will be able to engage in special gameplay related to the space theme, including encounters with Astronaut Pikachu.
Exclusive ESA x Pokémon merchandise, ranging from apparel to collectibles, will also be available at various ESA and Pokémon retail channels, as well as partner museum shops.
Tour Itinerary
Following its premiere in Paris, the exhibition will visit several ESA sites:
- ESRIN, Rome: September 25
- ESTEC, Noordwijk: September 26-27
- ESOC, Darmstadt: October 2
- ESAC, Villanueva de la Cañada: October 3
- ECSAT, Harwell: October 10
The exhibition will also make appearances in various museums across Europe, including:
- Cité de l’espace, Toulouse, France
- Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias, Valencia, Spain
- Deutsches Museum, Nuremberg, Germany
- Euro Space Center, Transinne, Belgium
- Lucca Comics & Games, Lucca, Italy
- Science Museum, London, UK
- Space Expo, Noordwijk, Netherlands
In this unique marriage of gaming, exploration, and education, Pokémon fans and space enthusiasts alike are invited on a journey to discover the wonders of both worlds.
