🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.