Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

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

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing.

She portrayed 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. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since reaching space, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.

She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.