🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Backlash After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The group of women also comprised experts in different industries. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The group of women also comprised experts in different industries. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.