Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

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 included high-profile passengers.

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

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as 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,” the astronaut shared in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of 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 wrote. “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 operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.

She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had come out of the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the edge of outer space.

The diverse crew also featured experts in multiple disciplines.

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