đ Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist â recognized as a researcher and activist â was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â she recounted in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the landing. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. âI did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,â she revealed. âWeeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.â Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts â from her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her background â was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. âYour support rescued me,â she said. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line of outer space. The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist â recognized as a researcher and activist â was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. âI said the emotional pain might endure for years,â she recounted in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the landing. She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. âI did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,â she revealed. âWeeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.â Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts â from her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her background â was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. âYour support rescued me,â she said. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line of outer space. The team of pioneers also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a Amazon founder.