Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress Following Wave of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also included well-known figures.

The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the flight.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She added that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the edge of space.

The group of women also included experts in various fields.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.