Pokémon x ESA Sends Astronaut Pikachu to Space: Exhibition, Pokémon GO Event and Collectibles Revealed

Pokémon is heading somewhere few entertainment franchises ever reach: orbit.

The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International revealed new details on September 19, 2026 for their World Space Week collaboration, including a real Astronaut Pikachu plush that traveled to the International Space Station, a touring Pokémon-and-space exhibition, exclusive merchandise and a special Pokémon GO experience across participating European science and space museums.

The collaboration is built around World Space Week 2026, October 4–10, but several parts of the program extend well beyond that week.

Astronaut Pikachu spent 67 days in orbit

The standout detail is not simply promotional artwork. ESA says a specially created Astronaut Pikachu plush actually traveled to the International Space Station during ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot’s mission.

According to ESA, Pikachu spent 67 days in orbit from April 11 through June 17, 2026 and completed approximately 1,040 orbits of Earth.

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot holding Astronaut Pikachu plush at the European Astronaut Centre
ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot with the Astronaut Pikachu plush. Image: © ESA – A. Conigli – D. Dos Santos, used under the ESA Standard Licence.

The spaceflight gives the collaboration an unusual real-world connection: this version of Pikachu is tied to an actual ESA mission rather than simply being designed around a space theme.

A new Pokémon and space exhibition is touring Europe

ESA and Pokémon also created a family-focused exhibition combining real space science with Pokémon imagery. The exhibition explains subjects including European launch missions, life and work aboard the International Space Station, solar research and exploration of the Solar System.

The first ESA Open Days stops are:

  • Paris, France: September 19–20
  • Rome, Italy: September 25
  • Noordwijk, Netherlands: September 26–27
  • Darmstadt, Germany: October 2
  • Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain: October 3
  • Harwell, United Kingdom: October 10

After those ESA dates, the exhibition is scheduled to appear at additional European venues from early October 2026 through April 2027. Announced destinations include Cité de l’espace in Toulouse, the Science Museum in London, Space Expo in Noordwijk and Lucca Comics & Games in Italy.

Pokémon and European Space Agency collaboration visual for World Space Week 2026
Official Pokémon x ESA collaboration visual. Image: ©2026 Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK; © 2026 European Space Agency. ESA Standard Licence.

Pokémon GO is getting Astronaut Pikachu

The collaboration also extends into Pokémon GO. From October 4, 2026 through April 30, 2027, visitors to participating science and space museums in Europe will be able to access special location-based gameplay.

ESA says the museum experience will include:

  • One-Star Raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu
  • Timed Research
  • Special Pokémon encounters
  • Location Backgrounds on some encounters commemorating the museum visit

During World Space Week itself, October 4–10, participating locations will also feature event-themed Field Research and increased wild Pokémon spawns. ESA notes that the special Location Backgrounds are tied to participating museum visits and should not be assumed to be available everywhere.

Exclusive ESA x Pokémon collectibles are coming

Collectors have another part of the collaboration to watch. ESA confirmed an official range of apparel, accessories and collectibles that will be sold through ESA and Pokémon retail channels as well as partner museum shops.

ESA has not yet published a complete item list or universal release schedule, so collectors should be cautious about treating early reseller listings or rumored products as confirmed. The official announcement establishes the merchandise range, but not every individual product, quantity or regional allocation.

Why this collaboration stands out

Pokémon frequently crosses into games, merchandise and location-based events, but the ESA project combines all three with a genuine human-spaceflight connection. For fans, that creates several distinct reasons to follow the collaboration: an unusual piece of Pokémon history, limited-location Pokémon GO content, a traveling exhibition and a new collectible merchandise line.

For anyone planning a European trip around the event, venue dates matter. The ESA Open Days occur on specific September and October dates, while the museum exhibition and Pokémon GO portions continue on different schedules.

More details and any schedule changes should be checked against the official ESA announcement before traveling.

Featured image and promotional imagery are official Pokémon x ESA materials published by the European Space Agency. Featured art: ©2026 Pokémon / Nintendo / Creatures / GAME FREAK; © 2026 European Space Agency, ESA Standard Licence.

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