Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing 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 featured well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.

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

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has conducted studies in female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also included leaders in various fields.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.