Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after enduring 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 in the spring, which also included high-profile passengers.

The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey.

She characterized 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. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She concluded that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.