Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress Following Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also carried celebrity crewmates.
The mission was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks.
She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
A Path to Recovery
In the time since reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.
She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
About the Mission
The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of space.
The group of women also included experts in different industries.
The venture behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
