On September 19, 2026, the European Space Agency (ESA) announced that a special Pikachu plush toy had completed a 67-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The plush toy, termed an "astronaut," was launched to the ISS on April 11 via a Cygnus cargo spacecraft and returned to Earth on June 17 aboard a SpaceX Dragon cargo spacecraft. Throughout its time in orbit, the toy made approximately 1,040 orbits around the Earth.
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This unique mission coincided with the upcoming World Space Week, which is scheduled from October 4 to 10, 2026. To celebrate, ESA has developed a special exhibit that integrates real space science with Pokémon themes, showcasing Europe’s space missions and ISS life. The exhibit, which began its tour at ESA headquarters in Paris, will be displayed in various museums and venues across Europe until April 2027.
In conjunction with this event, fans of Pokémon GO can partake in space-themed activities from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Players at selected science and space museums throughout Europe can participate in One-Star Raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu as well as various research tasks and encounters with event-themed Pokémon. Josef Aschbacher, ESA’s Director General, emphasized that inspiring future generations is a key aspect of ESA’s mission.