Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures.

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

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.

She characterized 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. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the supporters whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said.

She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space.

The team of pioneers also comprised experts in different industries.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.