🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress After Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her scientific research and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her scientific research and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The group of women also included experts in different industries. The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.