ESA and The Pokémon Company International reveal Europe-wide exhibition and astronaut Pikachu experience
The European Space Agency and Pokémon Company International will launch a Europe-wide exhibition and digital event for World Space Week 2026, featuring a Pikachu plush that spent 67 days in orbit.
The European Space Agency (ESA) and The Pokémon Company International (TPCI) have announced a collaboration to mark World Space Week 2026, running from 4 to 10 October 2026. As part of the initiative, a Pikachu plush accompanied ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot during her mission, spending 67 days aboard the International Space Station from 11 April to 17 June 2026. The collaboration includes a temporary exhibition at ESA sites and major European museums, alongside exclusive merchandise and a special Pokémon GO event designed to engage audiences of all ages with space exploration.
A family-friendly exhibition co-created by ESA and Pokémon will blend scientific content with imaginative storytelling, featuring themed panels on Europe’s space activities such as satellite launches, astronaut support, solar studies, and Solar System exploration. Pokémon characters will be integrated into panels to make scientific topics more accessible. The exhibition will tour venues across Europe from early October 2026 to April 2027, with details available on the ESA website.
Exclusive ESA x Pokémon merchandise, including apparel, accessories, and collectibles, will be sold through ESA and Pokémon retail channels as well as partner museum shops. The collection aims to extend the exhibition’s theme of exploration beyond its physical locations. A Pokémon GO in-game activation will run from 4 October 2026 to 30 April 2027, offering special gameplay at participating science and space museums, including One-Star Raids featuring Astronaut Pikachu and themed Field Research.
The collaboration seeks to inspire curiosity about space among all ages, with ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher stating it unlocks new ways to connect with space. TPCI’s Mathieu Galante highlighted the shared spirit of discovery between Pokémon and space exploration. The initiative includes additional event-themed gameplay from 4 to 10 October 2026, with increased wild Pokémon spawns at participating locations.