First Man

In 1961, NASA test pilot Neil Armstrong takes to the skies in the X-15 rocket plane. Reaching an impressive altitude of 140,000 feet, he pushes the boundaries of winged flight before encountering turbulence and demonstrating remarkable skill by safely re-entering the atmosphere.

Amidst his professional challenges, Neil faces an intense personal crisis as his two-and-a-half-year-old daughter, Karen, battles a brain tumor. Despite his thorough search for treatments and meticulous documentation of her symptoms, he is devastated when she passes away shortly after.

Following the tragedy of losing his daughter, Neil Armstrong decides to join Project Gemini and is welcomed into NASA Astronaut Group 2. His strong engineering background catches the attention of Bob Gilruth, who values Neil's insights on lunar exploration.

Accompanied by his wife Janet and their son Rick, Neil moves to Houston, where he quickly forms friendships with fellow astronauts like Elliot See and Ed White. Together, they begin the rigorous training mandated for Project Apollo, competing in the Space Race against the Soviet Union.

In 1964, Armstrong faces a demanding training schedule that challenges his limits as he works with multi-axle simulators to refine his skills. By being the first to tackle rigorous training tasks, he exemplifies his dedication, all while experiencing the joys of welcoming another son, Mark.

By the year 1965, the Armstrong family settles into their new lives in Houston; however, they remain in suspense, eagerly waiting for mission assignments as the Soviet Union continues to score achievements in space exploration. Neil learns that he will command Gemini 8, partnering with David Scott.

Tragedy strikes when Elliot See and Charles Bassett perish in a T-38 crash, deeply affecting Armstrong. Their loss weighs heavily on him as he prepares for the challenges of his impending mission with newfound determination and responsibility.

As Gemini 8 launches into space, Neil and his co-pilot successfully execute a critical docking exercise. However, complications arise when the spacecraft begins spinning uncontrollably, and Neil employs the Reentry Control System Thrusters, averting disaster and ensuring a safe return.

Neil receives the harrowing news of the Apollo 1 tragedy, where astronauts Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee lose their lives in a fire during a rehearsal test. This devastating event occurs while Neil is attending a White House event, compelling him to reflect on the inherent dangers of space exploration.

In the following year, Neil narrowly escapes death during an ejection from a Lunar Landing Research Vehicle, a close call that underscores the perils of his profession. His perseverance results in him being selected as commander for the historic Apollo 11 mission.

As the Apollo 11 mission nears, tension grows in the Armstrong household. Janet expresses her concerns about the risks associated with the mission, leading to a fraught conversation before Neil says goodbye to their young sons.

On launch day, Apollo 11 embarks on its momentous journey to the Moon, reaching its destination by the fourth day. Neil and Buzz Aldrin navigate the Lunar Module Eagle towards the lunar surface, encountering a field of boulders that necessitates quick thinking and manual control.

Neil Armstrong successfully lands the Lunar Module on the Moon, famously declaring, 'That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind' as he becomes the first human to set foot on the lunar surface. In a symbolic gesture, he leaves his daughter's bracelet in the Little West crater.

After completing their historic mission, Neil and the crew undergo quarantine, reflecting on their incredible journey. They watch the impactful footage of President John F. Kennedy's speech about going to the Moon, sharing a tender moment with Janet amidst the chaos of their triumphant return.