Pokémon GO is partnering with the European Space Agency (ESA) for an event featuring Astronaut Pikachu, research, and space-themed Pokémon. Museum gameplay runs from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027, with Field Research and boosted wild encounters available during the opening week.
Astronaut Pikachu 1-Star raids available at participating museums from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027
Event-themed Field Research and increased wild encounters available at participating museums from October 4 to October 10, 2026
Participating Museums
Raids
Astronaut Pikachu will appear in one-star raids at the participating museums from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027. Complete these raids in person for an encounter with Astronaut Pikachu featuring a Location Background commemorating your visit.
Shiny Astronaut Pikachu will also be available!
Timed Research
Visit a participating museum during this period to unlock Timed Research. Completing its tasks awards rewards and encounters with event-themed Pokémon. Some Pokémon encountered through this research may have a Location Background. Timed Research available from October 4, 2026, to April 30, 2027.
Field Research
Spin PokéStops at participating museums to collect event-themed Field Research tasks. Complete them for rewards and Pokémon encounters, some of which may feature a Location Background. Field Research available from October 4 to October 10, 2026.
Wild Encounters
The following Pokémon will appear more frequently in the wild around participating museums from October 4 to October 10, 2026:
All listed wild Pokémon except Blipbug can be Shiny.
ESA Locations
The ESA locations below will also offer Astronaut Pikachu raids, Timed Research, Field Research, and boosted wild encounters during the week of October 4 to October 10, 2026. Location Backgrounds will not be available at ESA sites.
HQ: Paris, France
ESRIN: Frascati, Italy
ESOC: Darmstadt, Germany
ESAC: near Madrid, Spain
ESTEC: Noordwijk, Netherlands
ESEC: near Redu, Belgium
ECSAT: Harwell, UK
Gameplay details: official Pokémon GO announcement.
Pikachu’s Trip to Space
Astronaut Pikachu has a real space adventure behind it! A Pikachu toy stayed aboard the International Space Station from April 11 to June 17, 2026, spending 67 days in orbit and circling Earth approximately 1,040 times. Its crewmates included seven astronauts, among them ESA’s Sophie Adenot, who travelled to the station on SpaceX’s Crew-12 mission.
The visit was part of ESA’s collaboration with The Pokémon Company International to celebrate World Space Week, October 4–10, 2026. Space.com has more on Pikachu’s spaceflight.
The Wider ESA × Pokémon Collaboration
Pokémon GO is one part of a wider partnership, with a family-friendly exhibition jointly developed by ESA and Pokémon. Character panels connect Pokémon with real science, covering European launches, astronauts aboard the ISS, the Sun, and exploration of the Solar System.
Exhibition Launch Dates
The exhibition debuts at ESA Open Days. These are exhibition dates; Pokémon GO gameplay at ESA sites runs October 4–10, 2026.
Further appearances across Europe run from early October 2026 through April 2027, including the museums above and Lucca Comics & Games in Italy. Lucca is listed as an exhibition venue, but is not among the announced Pokémon GO gameplay locations.
Exclusive Merchandise
ESA × Pokémon clothing, accessories, and collectibles will be sold through ESA and Pokémon retail channels and partner museum shops. More details are in ESA’s official collaboration announcement.