🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Depression In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – 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 environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She characterized 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 confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The diverse crew also comprised leaders in different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded 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 opened up regarding her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – 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 environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She characterized 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 confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The diverse crew also comprised leaders in different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.