Crew Member Shares Depression Following Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also included high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight.
She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She concluded that even with the backlash, considerable good had come out of the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space.
The diverse crew also included experts in multiple disciplines.
The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
