🔗 Share this article Crew Member Discloses Depression After ‘Tsunami of Backlash Post-Spaceflight Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her studies and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised leaders in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her studies and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability. A Path to Recovery Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed. She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised leaders in various fields. The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.