🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.