Pokémon Goes to Space: Pikachu, ESA & World Space Week 2026
Pikachu has officially gone where very few Pokémon have gone before.
Space.
And no, we've not finally lost the plot at Clifford TCG.
To celebrate World Space Week 2026, The Pokémon Company International has teamed up with the European Space Agency (ESA) for a collaboration bringing Pokémon and real-world space exploration together.
And they didn't just stick Pikachu in an astronaut suit for a photoshoot.
They actually sent Pikachu to the International Space Station. 🚀⚡
Pokémon × ESA for World Space Week 2026
World Space Week takes place from 4–10 October 2026, and Pokémon's collaboration with ESA has been created around something both worlds have in common:
Curiosity, exploration and discovery.
The collaboration includes exhibitions across Europe, special merchandise, Pokémon TCG accessories and even a special Pokémon GO event.
But there's one member of the expedition who's understandably stealing most of the attention.
Astronaut Pikachu.
Yes, Pikachu Really Went to Space
A special Astronaut Pikachu plush travelled to the International Space Station during ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot's mission.
According to ESA, Pikachu spent an incredible 67 days in orbit, travelling from 11 April until 17 June 2026.
During that time, our little yellow space explorer completed approximately:
1,040 orbits of Earth.
Meanwhile, ours struggle to stay upright on a shelf.
ESA has released photographs of Astronaut Pikachu aboard the International Space Station, including an absolutely brilliant shot of Pikachu floating inside the Cupola — the observation module that gives astronauts spectacular views of Earth.
The International Space Station travels roughly 400 km above Earth and circles the planet approximately every 90 minutes.
Which means Pikachu has now travelled considerably further than most of us ever will.
Show-off.
Why Have Pokémon and ESA Teamed Up?
It might initially sound like an unusual partnership, but it actually makes a lot of sense.
Pokémon has always been built around exploration.
Leaving home.
Discovering new places.
Finding creatures you've never seen before.
Learning about the world around you.
And occasionally battling something that really didn't need to be disturbed in the first place.
ESA wants the collaboration to encourage people — particularly younger generations — to become interested in science and space exploration.
It's essentially the Pokémon journey, except Professor Oak has been replaced by actual rocket scientists.
Pokémon Space Exhibitions Are Coming Across Europe
The collaboration isn't staying in orbit either.
A special family-friendly Pokémon × ESA exhibition is appearing at ESA facilities and museums around Europe.
The exhibition combines real information about European space exploration with Pokémon characters and artwork.
Visitors can learn about subjects including:
- How European space missions are launched
- Life and research aboard the International Space Station
- How scientists study the Sun
- Exploration of our Solar System
- How ESA studies the wider Universe
So yes, Pokémon may genuinely be responsible for somebody deciding to become an astronaut.
We're here for it.
There's a UK Pokémon × ESA Event Too
UK Pokémon fans aren't being left out.
ESA's ECSAT facility in Harwell, Oxfordshire is part of the programme, with its ESA Open Day taking place on 10 October 2026.
The collaboration also includes the Science Museum in London among its participating European museum locations.
That gives UK Pokémon fans a rare chance to see Pokémon used alongside genuine space science and exploration.
Pokémon × ESA TCG Accessories
Now we've arrived at the bit that immediately got our attention.
Pokémon cards.
Pokémon Center is releasing merchandise created for the ESA collaboration, including Astronaut Pikachu plushes and Pokémon TCG accessories featuring artwork from the Pokémon × ESA collaboration.
Because apparently even your Pokémon deck now needs to be space-ready.
And we're absolutely fine with that.
The Best Space-Themed Pokémon to Collect
The collaboration also got us thinking about just how many Pokémon have links to space, stars, planets and the wider universe.
If you fancied building a space-themed Pokémon card collection, there are some brilliant places to start.
Deoxys
You can't really make a Pokémon space collection without Deoxys.
This Mythical Pokémon has one of the strongest connections to outer space in the entire Pokémon world, making Deoxys cards an obvious centrepiece for a cosmic binder.
Rayquaza
Rayquaza might spend its time high above the clouds rather than commuting to the International Space Station, but it's another perfect choice.
And with some spectacular Rayquaza artwork appearing throughout Pokémon TCG history, there's plenty for collectors to chase.
Lunatone & Solrock
Moon.
Sun.
Job done.
Lunatone and Solrock were practically begging to be put into a space-themed binder.
Jirachi
Known for its connection to wishes and comets, Jirachi is another brilliant choice for collectors who want cards with a celestial theme.
Clefairy & Clefable
Long-time Pokémon fans will know exactly why these two belong here.
Clefairy's history has been closely connected with the Moon since the earliest days of Pokémon, particularly around Mt. Moon and Moon Stones.
Minior
A Pokémon inspired by meteors?
You're getting in the binder.
Arceus
If you're building a collection around the universe itself, eventually you're going to end up at Arceus.
It would be rude not to.
Could You Build a Pokémon Space Binder?
This is where we think the Pokémon × ESA collaboration becomes genuinely fun for collectors.
You don't necessarily need to collect an entire Pokémon set.
Instead, you could build your own themed collection featuring Pokémon connected to:
- Space
- Stars
- The Moon
- The Sun
- Meteors
- Aliens
- Legendary and Mythical Pokémon
It's a completely different way of collecting and gives you cards to hunt across multiple generations and Pokémon TCG sets.
Have a look through our Pokémon Singles and see what you can find for your own cosmic collection.
And if you're looking for something a little more special, you can also browse our Graded Pokémon Cards.
From Pokémon Cards to the International Space Station
Pokémon has spent 30 years encouraging people to explore imaginary worlds.
Now it's helping encourage people to explore the real one — and everything beyond it.
There's something genuinely brilliant about seeing Pikachu floating hundreds of kilometres above Earth while an actual astronaut carries out a real space mission.
And after 67 days, approximately 1,040 trips around Earth and a visit to the International Space Station, Astronaut Pikachu may have just become the most well-travelled Pokémon plush on the planet.
Technically, off the planet.
🚀⚡
Chase It. Collect It. Love It.