Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress After Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried well-known figures.

The mission was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

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

“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.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.

She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the flight, including spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the edge of space.

The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries.

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