🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the mission, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the mission, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.