🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Depression After ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, 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,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, 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,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.