Space Traveler Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut 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 researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included high-profile passengers.

The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the landing.

She described the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, 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 years of training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The self-operating spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.