🔗 Share this article Astronaut Reveals Depression In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “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 female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide 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 deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the experience, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “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 female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide 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 deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote. She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had emerged from the experience, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the edge of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.