Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle Following ‘Tsunami of Backlash Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also included celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight.

She portrayed 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 confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her studies and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

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

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said.

She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the edge of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.