May 18

Flying a Canadair F-86 Sabre jet, Jacqueline Cochran reached Mach 1.05 at an altitude of 45,000 feet. Her achievement followed a career of record-setting flights and advanced pilot training programs for women during World War II. As director of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), she advocated for female aviators and expanded their roles in military and civilian aviation. Breaking the sound barrier cemented her status as one of the era’s most accomplished pilots. Cochran’s feat challenged gender barriers and inspired a generation of women in science and technology. She remained a prominent figure in aerospace until her death in 1980.

Apollo 10 lifted off from Cape Kennedy on May 18, 1969, carrying astronauts Thomas Stafford, John Young, and Eugene Cernan. The mission tested all aspects of a lunar landing except touchdown, flying the lunar module to within 15 kilometers of the Moon's surface. Flight controllers gathered critical data on navigation, trajectory, and communications. The command and service modules orbited the Moon while the lunar module performed detailed checkout. Apollo 10 paved the way for the historic Apollo 11 landing two months later, validating procedures and systems. The crew safely returned to Earth, marking a key milestone in humanity's journey to the Moon.

Under the codename 'Smiling Buddha', India carried out its inaugural nuclear weapons test on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran test range in Rajasthan. The device yielded approximately eight kilotons of energy, marking a significant technological achievement. This test established India as the sixth country in the world to master nuclear detonations. The operation was conducted under strict secrecy and represented a major shift in regional power dynamics. Global reactions were mixed, with some nations condemning the test and others adopting new non-proliferation measures. The event set the stage for ongoing debates about nuclear policy and security in South Asia.

On May 18, 1990, a modified TGV train achieved a groundbreaking speed of 515.3 km/h on a test track in France. Engineered with enhanced power and aerodynamic design, the train broke the previous rail speed record. The record run demonstrated the potential of high-speed rail technology and bolstered confidence in the TGV system. This achievement highlighted France's leadership in rail innovation and engineering excellence. Data from the test influenced subsequent improvements in passenger service speeds. The record remains a landmark in the history of transportation and infrastructure development.

On May 18, 2005, astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope published a follow-up image confirming the detection of two previously unseen moons orbiting the distant dwarf planet Pluto. Shortly after the 2005 discovery announcement of one moon, this second image firmly established the existence of both Nix and Hydra. These tiny satellites measure just a few dozen kilometers across and orbit far from Pluto's icy surface. The finding challenged scientists to refine models of the Pluto system's formation and dynamics. Subsequent observations have helped determine the moons' orbital periods and compositions. Nix and Hydra's discovery underscored Hubble's vital role in exploring the outer reaches of the solar system. The Pluto system grew more complex with each new moon, maintaining interest in missions like NASA's New Horizons flyby.