Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress After Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured well-known figures.

The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“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 focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

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

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose kindness were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, including spotlight on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

About the Mission

The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in various fields.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.