Crew Member Discloses Depression Following Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, 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 told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of misogyny.

She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said.

She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the mission, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also comprised experts in multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.