Crew Member Discloses Depression After Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She described the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she said.

She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.