🔗 Share this article Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, 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 heritage – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in different industries. The company behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, 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 heritage – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in different industries. The company behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.