🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her studies and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The group of women also featured leaders in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her studies and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The group of women also featured leaders in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.