🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Emotional Distress Following Wave of Online Abuse Following Journey The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – 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 carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment 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 supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her studies and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – 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 carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment 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 supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her studies and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.