Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress Following Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

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

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as 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 public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.