Pikachu and Minior cards reach the International Space Station
Astronaut Sophie Adenot brought Pikachu ex and Minior cards aboard the ISS as part of Pokémon’s European Space Agency collaboration.
Before we dive in
Pokémon cards are physical collectibles that also form a trading card game. This story concerns existing cards travelling into orbit, rather than a new expansion or a change to gameplay.
The International Space Station is an orbiting laboratory. World Space Week connects space-related activities and education; Pokémon’s European Space Agency collaboration brings familiar characters into that theme.
The update
Two Pokémon cards have a better travel story than most binders. New photos show Pikachu ex and Minior aboard the International Space Station, with Earth behind them.
Sophie Adenot carried the cards as part of Pokémon’s European Space Agency collaboration. The images show them floating aboard the station.
Adenot launched on SpaceX Crew-12 February 13 and reached the ISS February 14. An Astronaut Pikachu plush travelled with her too.
The plush is also part of the related Pokémon Center merchandise range. The announcement describes a promotional milestone, not a new card release.