Space Traveler Discloses Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Backlash Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey.
She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
Finding Solid Ground
Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.
She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The group of women also included leaders in multiple disciplines.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
