May 26

On May 26, 1969, the Apollo 10 spacecraft splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, concluding an eight-day mission that served as the final full-scale rehearsal for the historic Moon landing. Commanded by Tom Stafford, with John Young and Eugene Cernan, the crew tested the lunar module in lunar orbit, descending to within 15 kilometers of the Moon’s surface. The mission verified the performance of navigation, communication, and propulsion systems under real lunar conditions. Apollo 10’s success paved the way for Apollo 11, confirming crew procedures and hardware readiness. The flight also collected valuable photographic reconnaissance of the intended landing site in the Sea of Tranquility. Celebrated as a flawless precursor, Apollo 10 demonstrated NASA’s growing expertise in human spaceflight. Its achievements underscored the technological and logistical prowess that would soon culminate in humankind’s first steps on the lunar surface.

On May 26, 1970, the Soviet Tupolev Tu-144, nicknamed 'Concordski,' reached speeds beyond Mach 2 during a commercial flight, becoming the first passenger jet to break the supersonic barrier in operation. Designed by the Tupolev Design Bureau, the Tu-144 was part of a fierce technological race with Western counterparts, notably the Anglo-French Concorde. Its twin afterburning engines and delta wing design allowed the aircraft to cruise at over twice the speed of sound. The achievement underscored Soviet advancements in aerodynamics and propulsion during the Cold War. Despite impressive performance, the Tu-144’s operational history was marred by safety concerns and high operating costs, leading to its retirement in 1978 after a brief commercial service. Nevertheless, the flight of May 26 remains a milestone in aviation history and a testament to mid-20th-century aerospace innovation.