Crew Member Reveals Depression In the Wake of Deluge of Backlash After Historic Trip
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense 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 torrent of sexist abuse.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing.
She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her studies and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.
She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
A Path to Recovery
In the time since reaching space, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She noted that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space.
The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
