đ Share this article Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress Following Wave of Harassment Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen â recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate â was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI told her my depression might last for years,â Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. âFor a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,â she confessed. âWeeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.â Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for â including her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage â was overshadowed under the avalanche of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work 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 protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support were her lifeline. âYou were my salvation,â she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen â recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate â was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI told her my depression might last for years,â Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. âFor a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,â she confessed. âWeeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.â Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for â including her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage â was overshadowed under the avalanche of misogyny. She is best known for her pioneering work 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 protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support were her lifeline. âYou were my salvation,â she wrote. She concluded that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.