Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also included high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She described the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the experience, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also comprised experts in various fields.

The company behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.