Crew Member Shares Depression In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also featured high-profile passengers.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said.
She concluded that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of space.
The diverse crew also included leaders in different industries.
The venture behind the mission is a private space firm established by a Amazon founder.