🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Discloses Mental Health Struggle After ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of space. The group of women also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of space. The group of women also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.