🔗 Share this article Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose kindness were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The group of women also featured experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose kindness were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The group of women also featured experts in various fields. The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.