The Pokémon Company International has sent a special Astronaut Pikachu plush to the International Space Station as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations and partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA). The plush’s journey blends the franchise with real science and is intended to encourage fans to take an interest in space exploration.

Astronaut Pikachu accompanied ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot from 11 April to 17 June, spending 67 days in orbit approximately 250 miles above Earth. During that time, it completed about 1,040 trips around the planet alongside seven crew members; related celebrations will include travelling exhibitions and Pokémon GO events at European museums from October 2026 into 2027.