🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the landing. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.