Crew Member Reveals Depression In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates.

The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.

She described the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“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

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and operated research during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after reaching space, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the supporters whose support were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the Kármán line of space.

The diverse crew also featured leaders in different industries.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.