Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress Following ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

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

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

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

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

She described 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 wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her studies and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also included experts in various fields.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.