Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress Following Wave of Online Abuse Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed 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 scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The mission was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the edge of outer space.

The group of women also comprised experts in various fields.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.