Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress Following ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, 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 situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of 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 wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the tide of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
In the time since reaching space, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.
She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
About the Mission
The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space.
The group of women also comprised leaders in various fields.
The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a well-known tech mogul.
