🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Following Journey The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had emerged from the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. Amanda Nguyen – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey. She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had emerged from the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.