Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers.
The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the tide of gendered attacks.
She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.
She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.
Flight Details
The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.
The diverse crew also comprised leaders in different industries.
The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
