🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress Following Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated 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 met with derision by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “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 women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated 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 met with derision by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “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 women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. About the Mission The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.