Space Traveler Shares Depression In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She characterized 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 confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights 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.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said.

She noted that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.