Post-Flight with Katy Perry: Astronaut Opens Up About Depression - Amanda Nguyen Makes History as First Vietnamese in Space—Then Faces Harassment
Amanda Nguyen has made history as the first Vietnamese person in space after joining an all-female Blue Origin mission. The flight, lasting just under eleven minutes, took place on 14 April 2025. But the achievement came with unexpected challenges, as Nguyen faced intense backlash and harassment following her return.
Nguyen, a long-time advocate for survivors of sexual violence, founded the organisation Rise to push for legal protections. In 2016, she drafted the Sexual Assault Survivors’ Rights Act, which later became federal law in the U.S. Her spaceflight was meant to amplify her activism, serving as a diplomatic link between the U.S. and Vietnam while also conducting small health experiments for women during the brief trip.
After landing, Nguyen described being overwhelmed by a 'tsunami of harassment.' The criticism took a heavy psychological toll, leaving her stranded in Texas for a week as she struggled to leave. Despite the setbacks, she maintained that the mission helped highlight her ongoing fight against sexual violence on a global stage.
The Blue Origin flight marked a milestone for Nguyen, both as a historic first and as a platform for her advocacy. While the mission lasted less than eleven minutes, its impact extended far beyond, drawing attention to her work and the broader issue of sexual violence. The backlash, however, revealed the personal cost of her public efforts.
