Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress After Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.

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 revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The group of women also comprised experts in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.