Crew Member Discloses Depression Following Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after facing a “tsunami of harassment” 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 included high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.
She portrayed the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had come out of the mission, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
About the Mission
The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.
The group of women also featured leaders in different industries.
The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
