Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey.

She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said.

She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The group of women also featured leaders in various fields.

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