🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Mental Health Struggle After ‘Tsunami of Harassment Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “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 gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised leaders in multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “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 gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised leaders in multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.