Crew Member Shares Depression In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates.
The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction 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, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault.
Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.
Finding Solid Ground
Months following achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of outer space.
The diverse crew also featured leaders in multiple disciplines.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.
