đ Share this article Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash Following Journey Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist â recognized as a researcher and activist â was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI told her my depression might last for years,â she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an âonslaught no human brain has evolved to endureâ. âStuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,â she confessed. âA month later⊠I had to hang up⊠because I could not speak through my tears.â Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts â including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background â was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support were her lifeline. âYou all saved me,â she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line of outer space. The group of women also featured experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
Amanda Nguyen, a women's health researcher, was aboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a âtsunami of harassmentâ in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist â recognized as a researcher and activist â was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse. âI told her my depression might last for years,â she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an âonslaught no human brain has evolved to endureâ. âStuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,â she confessed. âA month later⊠I had to hang up⊠because I could not speak through my tears.â Eclipsed by Backlash The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts â including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background â was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support were her lifeline. âYou all saved me,â she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the KĂĄrmĂĄn line of outer space. The group of women also featured experts in different industries. The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.