Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the tide of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The diverse crew also featured experts in various fields.

The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.