🔗 Share this article Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her studies and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also comprised leaders in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her studies and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also comprised leaders in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.