Crew Member Reveals Depression Following ‘Tsunami of Backlash Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.
She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work fighting for justice for survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Months following achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from various fields.
The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
