Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers.

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

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.

She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said.

She added that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

About the Mission

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space.

The group of women also featured experts in different industries.

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