Astronaut Reveals Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also carried celebrity crewmates.
The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight.
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 wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she wrote.
She noted that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the edge of outer space.
The diverse crew also featured leaders in various fields.
The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.
