Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle Following Deluge of Harassment Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the landing.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Months following reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.