🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress Following Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her heritage – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also featured leaders in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her heritage – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also featured leaders in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.