Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.

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

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.

She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

About the Mission

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from various fields.

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