On September 19, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that a special Pikachu plush had spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The “astronaut” Pikachu journeyed to the ISS aboard a Cygnus cargo spacecraft on April 11 and returned to Earth on June 17 via a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. During its time in orbit, Pikachu completed approximately 1,040 orbits around Earth.
This mission coincides with World Space Week 2026, which runs from October 4 to 10. To celebrate, ESA has established an exhibit that melds Pokémon characters with actual space science, showcasing European space missions and life on the ISS. Visitors will also learn about ESA’s research on the Sun, Solar System, and the broader universe. The exhibit tour started at ESA headquarters in Paris and will travel throughout Europe until April 2027.
Additionally, fans of Pokémon GO can participate in space-themed activities from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027, at selected science and space museums. These events will include raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu along with various research tasks and opportunities to encounter Pokémon.
ESA aims to inspire curiosity about space and science among children and teens, with Director General Josef Aschbacher stating that inspiring future generations is a key part of ESA’s mission.
