Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the landing.

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

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

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has conducted studies in female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from various fields.

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