Crew Member Shares Depression After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured well-known figures.

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

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She described the news reports and online discourse 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.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following reaching space, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

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

The team of pioneers also included leaders in multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.