Crew Member Reveals Depression After Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
The researcher, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her studies and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
Finding Solid Ground
In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.
She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space.
The team of pioneers also featured leaders in various fields.
The company behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
