Pikachu Plushie Joins ESA Mission to International Space Station

A Pikachu plush toy has traveled to the International Space Station as part of the European Space Agency’s Epsilon mission. The stuffed character accompanied French astronaut Sophie Adenot during her recent stay aboard the orbital laboratory. A newly released video documents the plushie’s zero-gravity tour, featuring commentary from Adenot as it floats through Nodes 1 and 2.

The footage highlights various station features, including water recycling systems and crew quarters. Pikachu serves as a visual indicator of the spacecraft's weightless environment, joining other plush toys used for this purpose in spaceflight history. Although the plushie will return to Earth before the astronaut, it continues its role as a spokesperson for the agency.

To coincide with World Space Week, Pokémon Center Online is selling crossover merchandise, including two astronaut-themed Pikachu plushies.

Anime Corner reported on October 6 that Pokémon GO and the ESA are launching museum events for World Space Week.