Crew Member Shares Depression After Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the flight.

She described the press attention and digital reaction 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 revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut 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 reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from various fields.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.