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Pikachu has officially gone where very few Pokémon have gone before: space. The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International have announced a new collaboration celebrating World Space Week 2026, bringing Pokémon, science, and space exploration together across Europe.

And yes, there’s an actual Pikachu involved. We’re not talking about a Pikachu simply posing in an astronaut suit for a promotional photo.

During ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot’s mission, a Pikachu plush traveled aboard the International Space Station. The plush spent 67 days in orbit, from April 11 through June 17, 2026, completing approximately 1,040 trips around Earth.

Not a bad adventure for a Pikachu. 🚀

Pokémon and ESA Are Bringing Space Exploration to Fans

The collaboration is being launched in celebration of World Space Week, taking place from October 4 through October 10, 2026.

The goal is to introduce more people—especially younger generations—to space exploration by combining real science with one of the world’s most recognizable pop-culture franchises.

ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher said that inspiring future generations is a key part of the agency’s mission. Meanwhile, Mathieu Galante, Senior Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, pointed to the connection between Pokémon’s sense of discovery and humanity’s curiosity about the unknown.

And when you think about it, the two worlds actually fit together pretty well.

Pokémon Trainers travel from region to region looking for new Pokémon and unexplored places. Scientists and astronauts do something similar on a much larger scale, using spacecraft, telescopes, probes, and the International Space Station to explore places far beyond our planet.

A Pokémon Exhibition With Real Space Science

The centerpiece of the collaboration will be a brand-new, family-friendly exhibition created by ESA and Pokémon.

The exhibition will combine real scientific information with Pokémon-themed visuals to introduce visitors to different aspects of European space exploration.

Visitors will learn how Europe launches space missions, supports astronauts aboard the International Space Station, studies the Sun, and explores the solar system and the wider universe.

Some of the exhibits will also feature Pokémon characters, giving the scientific content a playful twist while connecting space exploration, video games, anime culture, and science.

And the exhibition isn’t staying in one place.

Where Can You See the Pokémon and ESA Exhibition?

The exhibition will make its debut at several European Space Agency locations during the ESA Open Days 2026:

• 🇫🇷 Paris, France: ESA Headquarters — September 19–20, 2026
• 🇮🇹 Rome, Italy: ESRIN — September 25, 2026
• 🇳🇱 Noordwijk, Netherlands: ESTEC — September 26–27, 2026
• 🇩🇪 Darmstadt, Germany: ESOC — October 2, 2026
• 🇪🇸 Villanueva de la Cañada, Spain: ESAC — October 3, 2026
• 🇬🇧 Harwell, United Kingdom: ECSAT — October 10, 2026

And that’s just the beginning.

Starting in October 2026, the exhibition will also travel to museums and events across Europe, where it is expected to remain through April 2027.

The announced locations include Cité de l’espace in Toulouse, the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia, the Deutsches Museum in Nuremberg, Euro Space Center in Belgium, Lucca Comics & Games in Italy, the Science Museum in London, and Space Expo in the Netherlands.

So if you’re into Pokémon, space, or both, this is definitely a collaboration worth keeping an eye on.

Exclusive Pokémon x ESA Merchandise Is Coming

Of course, what’s a major Pokémon collaboration without some exclusive merchandise?

The partnership will also feature a special collection of clothing, accessories, and collectibles inspired by the ESA and Pokémon collaboration.

The merchandise will be sold through ESA and Pokémon sales channels, as well as at stores operated by participating museums.

And let’s be honest: astronaut Pikachu merchandise is probably going to be pretty hard for Pokémon collectors to ignore.

Astronaut Pikachu Is Coming to Pokémon GO

Here’s where things get even more interesting for Pokémon GO players.

From October 4, 2026, through April 30, 2027, Trainers visiting participating science and space museums across Europe will be able to take part in special Pokémon GO content inspired by the collaboration.

And yes, Astronaut Pikachu will be part of it.

Players will be able to encounter Astronaut Pikachu through one-star raids, take part in Timed Research, and discover special Pokémon encounters at participating locations.

During World Space Week itself, from October 4–10, additional themed activities will also be available, including Field Research and increased appearances of wild Pokémon at participating museums.

Pikachu’s Next Adventure Is Literally Out of This World

What makes this collaboration particularly fun is that Pokémon isn’t just using space as a cool backdrop.

A Pikachu plush has already spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station, the ESA and Pokémon exhibition will combine real space science with Pokémon characters, and Pokémon GO will bring the experience into the game.

It’s an unexpected crossover that brings together Pokémon fans, gamers, science enthusiasts, astronomy fans, and curious museum visitors.

And it all started with Pikachu taking a trip far beyond the Pokémon world.

Now there’s only one question left:

Just how far can Pikachu’s space adventure go?

We’ll find out when World Space Week 2026 kicks off in October. 🚀⚡