Crew Member Shares Depression In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

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

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her scientific research and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was buried under the tide of misogyny.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault.

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

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote.

She noted that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the experience, such as increased focus on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of outer space.

The group of women also comprised leaders in various fields.

The company behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a Amazon founder.