Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Harassment Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing 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 in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.

She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

Months following reaching space, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.