Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave 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 aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates.

The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.

She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of space.

The group of women also included experts in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.