🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress Following Wave of Harassment Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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 conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Months following achieving her goal, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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 conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Months following achieving her goal, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.