🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Depression Following ‘Tsunami of Backlash After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described 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.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also included experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described 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.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also included experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.