Amanda Nguyen to become first Vietnamese American woman in space

Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.

(NewsNation) — If all goes according to plan, Amanda Nguyen will become the first Vietnamese American woman to travel to space later this month.

It was an arduous journey for Time magazine’s 2022 “Woman of the Year,” who had long dreamed of being an astronaut. In 2013, as a Harvard astrophysics student, she was sexually assaulted during her final semester and became part of a legislative movement obligating police to preserve rape kits.

“I want every survivor, or anyone who’s ever had a dream deferred, to know that your dreams still matter — and that you will absolutely be able to heal and make it through,” Nguyen told “NewsNation Prime” on Sunday.

Nguyen said she wrote a note to herself after her assault to “never, never, never give up” and taped it to her laptop.

“I looked at it every day determined to not let the assault prevent me from graduating. I looked at it every day while I was fighting for my rights, and I will be looking at it while I am over Earth,” she said.

On April 14, Nguyen will join Aisha Bowe, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez on an all-female flight for Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space exploration company. The New Shepard trip beyond the Earth’s atmosphere is expected to last about 10 minutes.

Actress Olivia Munn, appearing on “Today with Jenna & Friends” recently, likened the trip to a “Magic Mountain” ride at Six Flags. Nguyen said she’s proud of the opportunity and will be helping conduct scientific research during the ride.