Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Wave of Backlash Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured well-known figures.

The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight.

She described the news reports and online discourse 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 revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also included experts in different industries.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.