🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The venture 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 New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.