Space Traveler Shares Mental Health Struggle Following Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“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.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after reaching space, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.