Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress Following Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to 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 brief journey to space in the spring, 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, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

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

A Path to Recovery

In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from different industries.

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