World Space Week Pokémon GO 2026: Astronaut Pikachu Guide
Updated 2026-10-04
Pokémon GO's World Space Week event runs from Sunday, October 4, 2026, 12:00 a.m. to Saturday, October 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. local time. Its headline is the debut of Astronaut Pikachu, a costumed Pikachu in a spacesuit, which appears in one-star raids and as the reward for a free Timed Research. Shiny Astronaut Pikachu is available if you're lucky.
Below is everything confirmed in the official Pokémon GO announcement and checked against event trackers, plus a simple plan to finish the research before the deadline. This is an independent guide and is not affiliated with Niantic, Scopely, The Pokémon Company or the European Space Agency.
Event at a Glance
| Detail | What's confirmed |
|---|---|
| Event name | World Space Week 2026 |
| Dates | Oct 4, 12:00 a.m. – Oct 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. (local time) |
| New Pokémon | Astronaut Pikachu (costumed Pikachu, first appearance in Pokémon GO) |
| Where to find it | One-star raids, Timed Research reward |
| Shiny | Yes, Shiny Astronaut Pikachu can appear |
| Timed Research | Free, 5 raid-win tasks |
| Research deadline | Monday, Oct 12, 2026, 11:59 p.m. local time |
| Ticket | Not needed – the research is free |
What Is World Space Week, and Why Is It in Pokémon GO?
World Space Week is an annual celebration of space held every year from October 4 to 10. The dates mark the launch of Sputnik 1 on October 4, 1957, and the Outer Space Treaty entering into force on October 10, 1967. Pokémon GO's event lines up exactly with that week.
The 2026 event ties into a collaboration between The Pokémon Company and the European Space Agency. A Pikachu plush flew to the International Space Station with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot and spent 67 days in orbit, from April 11 to June 17, 2026. Pokémon GO Hub reports it circled Earth roughly 1,040 times. The partnership also includes an ESA exhibition touring Europe from October 2026 to April 2027, and Astronaut Pikachu is the in-game part of it.
Astronaut Pikachu: How to Get It
There are two confirmed ways to catch Astronaut Pikachu during the event:
- One-star raids. Astronaut Pikachu is the featured one-star raid boss for the whole event. One-star raids are easy enough to beat solo with almost any team.
- Free Timed Research. Finishing the research gives a guaranteed Astronaut Pikachu encounter.
Shiny Astronaut Pikachu can appear in both raids and the research encounter. The official post doesn't list Astronaut Pikachu in wild spawns, eggs or Field Research, so plan on raids.
Can it evolve? The official announcement doesn't say. Costumed Pikachu in Pokémon GO often can't evolve, so check the Pokémon's screen in your own game before spending candy.
Free Timed Research: Tasks and Rewards
The Timed Research appears in the Today view under Research, labelled for World Space Week. According to Pokémon GO Hub and Leek Duck, all five tasks are about winning raids:
| Step | Task | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Win 1 raid | 2,500 XP |
| 2 | Win 2 raids | 2,500 Stardust |
| 3 | Win 3 raids | 2,500 XP |
| 4 | Win 4 raids | 2,500 Stardust |
| 5 | Win 5 raids | 2,500 XP |
| Completion | – | Astronaut Pikachu encounter, 2,500 XP, 2,500 Stardust |
Task wording can differ slightly in your app, so go by what you see in game. Tasks must be completed and all rewards claimed by Monday, October 12, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time. That's two days after raids end, but you'll need the raid wins before October 10 ends.
How to Take Part: Step by Step
- Update Pokémon GO and open the in-app News to make sure the event shows up for you.
- Claim the Timed Research in the Research tab (Today view).
- Collect Raid Passes. You get a free Raid Pass by spinning a Gym's Photo Disc, usually once a day. Remote Raid Passes let you join from home.
- Find one-star raids on the map or in the Nearby panel. Look for the Pikachu raid boss with the spacesuit.
- Win raids and catch Astronaut Pikachu after each one. Every win counts toward the research.
- Claim each reward as you go, and the final encounter, before October 12, 11:59 p.m. local time.
Tips for the Event
- Do the math on passes. The five steps need several raid wins in total, so start early and use your free daily pass every day rather than waiting for the weekend.
- Solo one-star raids with Ground-type attackers if you have them – Pikachu is an Electric type, and Ground moves hit it super-effectively. One-star bosses are weak, so you don't need a group.
- Raid with friends. Raiding with Friends can raise Friendship levels and give catch bonuses.
- Use Golden Razz Berries on Astronaut Pikachu if you're worried about it escaping, especially a shiny.
- Check shinies after every raid. A sparkle and a star-shaped icon mark a shiny encounter.
Are There Event Bonuses or Shop Items?
The official announcement for World Space Week 2026 doesn't list event bonuses (like extra XP or Stardust) or event-specific shop bundles. If anything is added later, it will appear in the in-app News. We'll update this page if Pokémon GO adds more.
One outlet (Toy People News, September 21, 2026) reported that Spacesuit Pikachu would be available in Pokémon GO from October 4, 2026 to April 30, 2027 through limited-time research. That longer window is not in the official World Space Week post, so treat it as unconfirmed until Pokémon GO announces it.
FAQ
When is World Space Week in Pokémon GO 2026?
From Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 12:00 a.m. to Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. local time. The free Timed Research can be completed and claimed until Monday, October 12, at 11:59 p.m. local time.
What Pokémon is featured in the World Space Week event?
Astronaut Pikachu, a costumed Pikachu wearing a spacesuit. It's the event's only featured Pokémon in the official announcement and makes its Pokémon GO debut here.
Can Astronaut Pikachu be shiny?
Yes. Shiny Astronaut Pikachu is available in one-star raids and from the Timed Research encounter, with normal shiny luck.
Is the World Space Week event free?
Yes. The Timed Research is free and doesn't need a ticket. You do need Raid Passes; you get one free pass a day by spinning a Gym, and you can buy more in the shop.
What are the World Space Week research tasks?
Five raid tasks: win 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 raids. Rewards alternate between 2,500 XP and 2,500 Stardust, and the final reward is an Astronaut Pikachu encounter plus 2,500 XP and 2,500 Stardust.
Why is Pikachu in a spacesuit?
The event celebrates World Space Week and a Pokémon–European Space Agency collaboration. A Pikachu plush spent 67 days aboard the International Space Station in 2026 with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot.