Indian Aerospace Scientist Jitendra Singh Selected for Inaugural Human Spaceflight Certificate Programme in France
Nov 15th, 2026 11:26 am | By ThenewsmanofIndia.com | Category: LATEST NEWS
Indian Aerospace Scientist Jitendra Singh Selected for Inaugural Human Spaceflight Certificate Programme in France
Indian aerospace scientist and flight-test engineer Jitendra Singh has been selected as the only candidate from India for the inaugural Human Spaceflight Certificate (HSC) Programme at Spaceflight Institute and ISAE-SUPAERO, France. His selection marks an important milestone in his professional journey towards becoming one of India’s pioneering commercial astronauts and highlights the growing international participation in human spaceflight.
The first cohort of ten candidates representing six countries across four continents was formally introduced at a launch ceremony in Toulouse on November 4, 2026. The event brought together approximately 100 distinguished participants, including representatives of the French Space Agency, Airbus Defence & Space, space medicine experts, astronauts, researchers, physicians and aerospace industry leaders.
Adding international significance to the occasion, NASA astronaut Dr. Anil Menon delivered a special welcome message from the International Space Station, encouraging the participants to embrace challenges and contribute to humanity’s future exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.
An Aeronautical Engineering graduate of PEC Chandigarh, Singh has pursued advanced studies at leading European aerospace institutions, including ISAE-SUPAERO, France, and TU Delft, Netherlands. His research work also involved ETH Zurich, Switzerland.
A former scientist at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), he contributed to India’s strategic aerospace programmes, including military aero-engine development for the LCA Tejas and national civil aircraft development initiatives.
He also gained valuable international experience in flight testing and type certification of the Airbus A320neo, powered by the CFM LEAP engine, at Airbus’s Flight Test Centre in France.
Beyond his technical achievements, Singh contributes to India’s aerospace and defence ecosystem through strategic advisory roles. He serves on the Advisory Board of SASMOS Group and as Chief Advisor to the All-India MSME Consortium (Laghu Udyog Bharati), promoting indigenous innovation, defence manufacturing and technological self-reliance.
His selection brings recognition to India’s growing aerospace capabilities and engineering talent on the global human spaceflight platform.
