Astronaut Reveals Depression In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also featured high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of misogyny.
She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had resulted from the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
The Historic Journey
The self-operating spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of space.
The group of women also comprised experts in different industries.
The venture behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
