🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle Following Deluge of Harassment Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.