Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.
The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” 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 gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks.
She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose kindness were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.
She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the flight, including spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in multiple disciplines.
The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
