Crew Member Shares Depression Following ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the landing.

She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She added that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in different industries.

The venture behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a well-known tech mogul.