Pikachu in the Cupola

A special Astronaut Pikachu plush travelled to the International Space Station to join ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot as part of a collaboration between ESA and The Pokémon Company International.

In this image, Astronaut Pikachu plush floats inside the Cupola, the European-built observation module that offers spectacular views of Earth and is a favourite spot for astronauts living and working on the Station to watch our home planet pass by below.

The International Space Station orbits Earth around 400 km above it, circling the planet every 90 minutes and treating its crew to around 16 sunrises and sunsets each day – a beautiful sight that has now been shared with Pikachu. Since 2000, astronauts have lived and worked continuously aboard the Station, carrying out science research using the unique microgravity conditions in orbit.

Sophie has spent more than 200 days in space as part of her εpsilon mission, conducting scientific research and completing three spacewalks over the summer to help maintain the orbiting laboratory.

ESA and Pokémon are teaming up to inspire the next generation of explorers. Whether through science or imagination, discovery begins with curiosity.

Read the full article for more information on the collaboration.