Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress Following Deluge of Backlash Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers.
The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after 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. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after reaching space, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from various fields.
The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.