🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Depression Following Deluge of Backlash Following Journey The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in various fields. The company behind the mission is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in various fields. The company behind the mission is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.