The iconic character of Soviet era animation will travel to space to commemorate 2016, the Year of Cinema in Russia, the jubilee of the main Russian animation studio and the anniversary of the first flight into space.

Cheburashka, a small furry creature with big ears, is currently on his way to Baikonur Cosmodrome, from where he will start a real space adventure on July 7. The beloved children's character has successfully passed all the preflight tests. He will stay a few weeks at the ISS along with a team of astronauts, the Ministry for Culture of Russia reported.

The spaceflight of the small plush toy is dedicated to the two dates — the 80th anniversary of Soyuzmultfilm animation studio and the 55th anniversary of the first flight into space.

Cheburashka will have the opportunity to experience the life at the space station, float weightless, observe Earth through a telescope, and conduct experiments. He will also make a spacewalk outside the ISS and watch the best Soyuzmultfilm movies with his team.