🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. Amanda Nguyen – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. About the Mission The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.