Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring 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 in April, which also carried well-known figures.

The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a phone call 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”.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space.

The diverse crew also included leaders in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.