Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Wave of Harassment Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey.

She described 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 confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote.

She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The fully automated spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.