Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a phone call from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey.

She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.