Astronaut Shares Depression Following Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

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

The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey.

She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny.

She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.

The group of women also included leaders in various fields.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.