Crew Member Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight.

She described the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault.

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

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny.

She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she said.

She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also included experts in various fields.

The company behind the flight is a private space firm established by a Amazon founder.