Astronaut Shares Depression Following Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a check-in 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 confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.

She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the experience, including increased focus on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in multiple disciplines.

The company behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.