Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress After Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath 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 featured celebrity crewmates.

The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.

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 focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

Months following achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also featured leaders in various fields.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.