Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

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

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing.

She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

Finding Solid Ground

Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.