Pokemon Go sent Pikachu to space for 67 days aboard ISS

A Pikachu plush spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station earlier this year, completing roughly 1,040 orbits of Earth before coming home.

It flew as part of ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot’s mission, staying in orbit from April 11 to June 17, 2026.

ESA and Pokemon turn the trip into a Europe-wide exhibition

The flight has now been revealed as the centerpiece of an official collaboration between the European Space Agency and The Pokemon Company International, timed for World Space Week from October 4 to 10.

ESA/NASA

ESA Astronaut Sophie Adenot

A new exhibition co-created by both will tour ESA sites and major museums, mixing real scientific content about European space missions with Pokemon characters worked into selected panels.

It debuts at ESA Open Days across 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,” said ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher. “Through this collaboration with Pokemon, we are unlocking new ways for people across Europe to connect with space.”

Astronaut Pikachu lands in Pokemon GO

The game tie-in runs from October 4, 2026 to April 30, 2027 at six participating museums, including the Science Museum in London, Cité de l’espace in Toulouse and Space Expo in Noordwijk.

Astronaut Pikachu appears in one-star raids at those locations, and beating them gives Trainers a shot at catching it with a Location Background marking the visit. A Shiny version is possible.

ESA/Pokemon

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, with Shinies available for all but Blipbug.

Seven ESA sites also get the same gameplay from October 4 to 10, though without the Location Backgrounds.

It isn’t the first time Pokemon has made it to orbit. Back in 2020, players were given a free Kibo’s Pikachu in Sword and Shield, themed after the ISS module of the same name.