Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Harassment Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression 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 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also featured well-known figures.

The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing.

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

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the mission, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The group of women also included accomplished professionals from different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.