Bioastronaut researcher Amanda Nguyen has spoken about the emotional toll she faced following Blue Origin’s first all-female spaceflight.
Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman to go into space during the flight in April, was part of flight NS-31 along with Katy Perry, Gayle King, Lauren Sánchez, Aisha Bowe and Kerianne Flynn.
Although the mission was historic, it also led to worldwide criticism about its costs and the role of private spaceflight.
Nguyen recently admitted on Instagram that she suffered a deep depression in the months after the mission.
In a statement shared on December 28, Nguyen said the aftermath left her in a depression that she feared “could last for years.”
She added that her achievements and dreams have been overshadowed by misogyny and public backlash.
Nguyen said the volume of coverage made even limited negativity overwhelming.
She described feeling like she was feeling “collateral damage” and said she struggled to leave her home, sometimes being unable to get out of bed or speak without collapsing.
Despite the tough experience, Nguyen acknowledged that positive support ultimately helped her recover and credited her friends, community and the time she spent reconnecting with her roots in Vietnam.
Eight months later, Nguyen said the emotional weight started to mount, without lasting as long as she once feared.
