🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Reveals Depression After ‘Tsunami of Harassment Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She portrayed 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. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash 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 astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She portrayed 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. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash 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 astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.