Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also featured well-known figures.
The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, describing a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the flight.
She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, 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 acknowledged the followers whose support were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.
She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The group of women also comprised leaders in different industries.
The company behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
