Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about 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 researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers.

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

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she wrote.

She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that exceeded the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries.

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