🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Depression Following ‘Tsunami of Harassment Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism 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 short-duration mission in the spring, which also included high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included leaders in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism 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 short-duration mission in the spring, which also included high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included leaders in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.