Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.
She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.
She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of space.
The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
