Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing 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 brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures.

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

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“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.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also featured leaders in various fields.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.