Astronaut Discloses Depression Following Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also carried high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.
She described the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused 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 achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She added that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
About the Mission
The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space.
The team of pioneers also featured experts in various fields.
The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
