Space Traveler Shares Emotional Distress After Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“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.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

Months following reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she wrote.

She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also comprised experts in multiple disciplines.

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