🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle Following Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included well-known figures. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included well-known figures. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a well-known tech mogul.