Iran is marking World Space Week under the national theme Rocket Revolution, staging a program of public outreach, education and science activities, the state broadcaster IRIB reported.
The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology hosted a ceremony to open the week, and officials including ICT Minister Sattar Hashemi and government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani attended, the ministry said.
Organizers unveiled five new books on space technology aimed at children and young adults, and targeted school and university students with contests, online lessons, and five public space observations, according to ministry materials shared with IRIB.
Events are being run in cooperation with the Institute for Intellectual Development of Children and Young Adults, the Ministry of Education, research centers, universities, specialized space bodies and private knowledge firms, the ministry said.
IRIB reported that in the previous year Iran ranked among the top 10 nations for diversity of World Space Week programming, hosting 234 events nationwide. The week’s local program also includes distribution of educational materials in underprivileged areas.
Domestically the week’s days were given names of homegrown rockets, including Safir, Simorgh, Zoljanah, Qased, Qaem, Qoqnous and Sarir. Organizers said the naming underscores national focus on space launch themes.
Gaming Tie In And Public Engagement
Alongside terrestrial programmes, the augmented reality game Pokémon Go has mounted a small World Space Week 2026 event, according to Polygon, bringing a space-themed in-game element to the public conversation.
The game’s event centers on an astronaut-suited Pikachu that can be caught after winning one-star raids or as a reward from completing the event’s Timed Research set, Polygon reported.
The Timed Research requires players to win successive raids to earn XP and Stardust, with a final reward of an astronaut Pikachu encounter. Polygon said the special Pikachu can appear in shiny form.
Polygon noted there are no other in-game bonuses beyond the Timed Research and the limited raid appearances. The article advised players who want the suited Pikachu to attempt as many of the one-star raids as possible, because future availability is uncertain.
