Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also included well-known figures.

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

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

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

She characterized the press attention and digital reaction 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 dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the tide of misogyny.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in various fields.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.