As Pokemon celebrates its 30th anniversary, it went beyond just a simple design update. In partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA), Pikachu was actually sent to space, introducing the world to Astronaut Pikachu.

How did Pikachu travel to space?

ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot brought an Astronaut Pikachu plush to the International Space Station during her mission from April 11 to June 27, 2026. The plush orbited Earth thousands of times, with the journey documented through Adenot’s photos. This stands out as one of the most unique collaborations in the brand’s history.

New design and product collection

The Astronaut Pikachu design combines Pikachu’s iconic look with a space suit inspired by ESA. The collection features two plushes: one male in a white suit and one female in a blue suit. The lineup goes beyond plush toys, including small figures, stationery, Pokemon Trading Card Game accessories, and a blue bomber jacket.

Products are available via Pokemon and ESA’s official stores, as well as participating science museum shops. Alongside, a traveling exhibition will visit science museums across Europe until April 2027.

How to catch Astronaut Pikachu in Pokemon GO

The event runs from October 4 to April 30, 2027. The best way to catch Astronaut Pikachu is by joining one-star raids at participating museums:

• Science Museum in London
• Cité de l'espace in Toulouse
• Deutsches Museum in Nuremberg
• Museu de les Ciències in Valencia
• Space Expo in Noordwijk
• Euro Space Center in Transinne

Complete the raid to earn a special location background as a memento of your visit, plus a chance to catch the shiny variant. Between October 4 and 10, Pokemon like Pikachu, Clefairy, Magnemite, Starmie, Lunatone, Solrock, Elgyem, and Blipbug will appear more frequently around these museums. Special Field Research tasks will also be available at museum PokeStops during this period.

Why is this collaboration important?

ESA states the goal of this partnership is to inspire young people and future generations to explore space. For Pokemon, it’s a great example of how a 30-year-old brand can still create fresh and memorable collaborations. Having Pikachu actually travel to space adds a genuine touch rarely seen in brand partnerships.

Don’t forget your account funds when playing Pokemon on Switch

The Astronaut Pikachu hype isn’t limited to Pokemon GO. If you want to dive back into the mainline games, topping up your Nintendo account makes it easy. With a Nintendo eShop gift card, you can instantly add funds to your account and grab DLC or a brand-new Pokemon game for your collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I catch Astronaut Pikachu in Pokemon GO?

You can catch it by participating in one-star raids at any of the six partner museums. The event runs from October 4 to April 30, 2027.

Did the Astronaut Pikachu plush really go to space?

Yes, ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot took the plush to the International Space Station during her mission from April 11 to June 27, 2026.