Space Traveler Discloses Depression In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, 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, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.
She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and years of training to the historic significance of her heritage – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny.
She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for survivors of assault.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
Finding Solid Ground
Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The team of pioneers also included experts in multiple disciplines.
The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
