Space Traveler Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Following Journey
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
A Path to Recovery
In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.
She added that amid the criticism, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.
The Historic Journey
The self-operating spacecraft launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that crossed 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 established by a well-known tech mogul.
