🔗 Share this article Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath 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 April, which also featured well-known figures. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She portrayed the news reports and online discourse 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.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from 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 onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath 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 April, which also featured well-known figures. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She portrayed the news reports and online discourse 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.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.