— A small ball was once thrown out to "catch 'em all," beginning a competition and attracting the attention of the entire world.

Now, almost 70 years after the former Soviet Union launched the spherical Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite, the European Space Agency (ESA) has partnered with The Pokémon Company to raise awareness and celebrate World Space Week, the annual commemoration of the start of the space race.

"Working with Pokémon, a brand with such a rich and imaginative world, represents a unique opportunity for ESA to connect broad audiences with space through creative storytelling," said Anne Sophie Bradelle, head of ESA's communication department, in a statement released on Tuesday (Aug. 4). "Rooted in shared values of curiosity and imagination, this collaboration supports ESA's ambition ... to inspire Europe, especially young people and future generations."

Details about what the collaboration may include — whether it be new trading cards, activations in video games or representations of ESA and World Space Week on Pokémon merchandise — has yet to be announced. More information is said to be coming soon.

To launch the promotion, ESA released new art of Pikachu showing her wearing a blue flight suit styled after the garment worn by European astronauts. One of the most popular Pokémon species due to the animated TV show, Pikachu is a bright yellow, mouse-like creature that can generate electricity.

Instead of an ESA patch, Pikachu's suit is adorned by a circular emblem featuring a bolt of lightning (or shape of Pikachu's tail) at its center.

ESA and the Pokémon Company have each sought to spark a spirit of adventure among the public, inviting fans around the world to discover, learn and explore through play. ESA has turned that sense of wonder into exploration, uncovering more about the universe and sharing this journey of discovery, according to the agency's website.

In 1999, the United Nations General Assembly declared that World Space Week would be held every year from Oct. 4-10. The dates commemorate the launch of Sputnik on Oct. 4, 1957 and the signing of the Outer Space Treaty on Oct. 10, 1967. In 2025, World Space Week included almost 50,000 events in 102 nations.

The ESA and Pokémon team-up reflects "a shared desire to build bridges between space, science and storytelling, and to spark excitement among young audiences and fans around the world," the space agency's announcement read.