Pokémon and European Space Agency Celebrate World Space Week 2026
Pokémon and the European Space Agency (ESA) are celebrating World Space Week 2026 with a special partnership. World Space Week is an international event that takes place every year to highlight the importance of space exploration.
As part of this collaboration, a Pikachu plush toy spent 67 days orbiting Earth aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The ISS is a research station in space where astronauts live and carry out scientific experiments.
To mark the event, Pokémon and ESA have released a joint product collection. These items are now available to buy in Italy, giving fans the chance to own space-themed Pokémon merchandise.
The collaboration combines the popularity of Pokémon with ESA's mission to inspire interest in science and space among young people. By using a familiar character like Pikachu, the campaign aims to make space exploration feel more accessible and exciting, especially for children and families.
This is not the first time that entertainment brands have partnered with space agencies to promote STEM education, but the idea of sending a plush toy into orbit adds a playful and memorable element to the celebration.
While full details about every item in the collection have not been shared, the partnership highlights how pop culture and science can come together to reach wider audiences during World Space Week 2026.
Vocabulary7 words
- ESA
- An organisation that manages space projects in Europe
- plush
- A soft, stuffed toy
- orbiting
- Moving in a circle around something, like a planet
- International Space Station (ISS)
- A large structure in space where astronauts live and work
- collection
- A set of related products made for sale
- merchandise
- Products sold to fans, often with a brand's logo or characters
- STEM
- Short for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
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Quiz
Answer key
1. The European Space Agency 2. 67 days 3. True
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Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Pokémon and the European Space Agency (ESA) are celebrating World Space Week 2026 with a special _____.
World Space Week is an international event that happens every year to highlight the importance of space _____.
A Pikachu plush toy spent 67 days orbiting Earth aboard the International _____ Station.
The ISS is a research station in space where _____ live and carry out scientific experiments.
Pokémon and ESA have released a joint product _____.
These items are now available to buy in _____.
The collaboration combines the popularity of Pokémon with ESA's mission to inspire interest in _____.
The campaign aims to make space exploration feel more _____ and exciting.
Sending a plush toy into orbit adds a playful and _____ element to the celebration.
The partnership highlights how pop culture and science can come together to reach wider _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think space agencies like ESA partner with popular brands like Pokémon?
- Do you think using characters like Pikachu makes space science more interesting for children? Why or why not?
- Would you want to own a product from this Pokémon x ESA collection? Why?
- What other ways could entertainment companies help promote science education?
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