Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle After Wave of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to 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 short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment 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 supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey.

She described the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.

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

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She noted that even with the backlash, 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 self-operating spacecraft departed its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of space.

The diverse crew also comprised leaders in different industries.

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