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Since the late 1940s, animals have played a crucial role in space exploration, acting as test subjects to help scientists understand how living organisms adapt to space conditions such as microgravity, radiation, and confinement. Their involvement has been vital in providing essential data that has helped in developing safety protocols and understanding biological functions. This information is critical for planning human space missions to other planets.

At Space India, the Universe in the School Programme educates students about the various animal missions to space. The program covers the challenges these missions faced and the outcomes, emphasizing the significant contributions animals have made to space science and research.