🔗 Share this article Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle Following Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also featured experts in various fields. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a public message, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of victims of sexual violence. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also featured experts in various fields. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.