Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her battle with depression after being subjected to 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 brief journey to space earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her scientific research and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after reaching space, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that passed the Kármán line of outer space.

The group of women also featured accomplished professionals from different industries.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.