A Pikachu plush spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station earlier this year, completing roughly 1,040 orbits of Earth before returning. It flew as part of European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot’s mission, staying in orbit from April 11 to June 17, 2026.
The flight has now been disclosed as the centerpiece of a collaboration between ESA and The Pokemon Company International, timed for World Space Week, which runs from October 4 to 10. Dexerto reported the details on September 19.
A touring exhibition across Europe
The two organizations have co-created an exhibition that will tour ESA sites and major museums, mixing scientific material on European space missions with Pokemon characters worked into selected panels. It debuts at ESA Open Days in Paris, Rome, Noordwijk, Darmstadt, Villanueva de la Cañada and Harwell through late September and early October.
From there it travels to venues including the Science Museum in London, the Deutsches Museum in Nuremberg and Lucca Comics and Games, running until April 2027.
Inspiring future generations is a key part of ESA’s mission. Through this collaboration with Pokemon, we are unlocking new ways for people across Europe to connect with space.
Astronaut Pikachu in Pokemon Go
The game tie-in runs from October 4, 2026 to April 30, 2027 at six participating museums, among them the Science Museum in London, the Cité de l’espace in Toulouse and Space Expo in Noordwijk. Astronaut Pikachu appears in one-star raids at those locations, and beating one gives trainers a chance to catch it with a Location Background marking the visit. A shiny version is possible.
Timed Research runs across the full window, while Field Research is limited to October 4 to 10. During that same week, Pikachu, Clefairy, Magnemite, Starmie, Lunatone, Solrock, Elgyem and Blipbug all spawn more frequently near participating locations.
