🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following ‘Tsunami of Backlash Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge 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 time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge 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 time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.