By 1965 , the family has settled in Houston , and Armstrong awaits selection for a crew . After the Soviets complete the first extravehicular activity ( EVA ) , Armstrong is informed that he will be the commander of Gemini 8 , with David Scott as the pilot . Prior to the mission , See and Charles Bassett are killed in a T-38 crash , deepening Armstrong 's grief at the string of recent losses . Armstrong and Scott successfully launch on Gemini 8 and dock with the Agena target vehicle , but soon afterward , the spacecraft begins to roll at a rapid rate . After nearly blacking out , Armstrong activates the RCS thrusters and safely aborts the mission . Armstrong initially faces criticism , but NASA determines the crew is not at fault . Later , White reveals that he has been selected for the Apollo 1 mission , along with Gus Grissom and Roger Chaffee
T-38 crash
1966 NASA T-38 crash
First Man (film)