Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures.

The high-profile flight 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 negative reaction buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the flight.

She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction 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 wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was buried under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries.

The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.