Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash Following Journey
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to 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 short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried well-known figures.
The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.
She characterized the press attention and digital reaction 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.”
Buried Under Misogyny
The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
A Path to Recovery
Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had emerged from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
About the Mission
The fully automated spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of space.
The diverse crew also included experts in different industries.
The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
