đ Share this article Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen â celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate â was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. âFor a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,â she wrote. âA month later⊠I had to hang up⊠because I could not speak through my tears.â Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement â including her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots â was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the âfog of grief has started to liftâ, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness helped save her. âYou were my salvation,â she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen â celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate â was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. âFor a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,â she wrote. âA month later⊠I had to hang up⊠because I could not speak through my tears.â Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement â including her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots â was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the âfog of grief has started to liftâ, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness helped save her. âYou were my salvation,â she affirmed. She noted that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.