Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress Following Wave of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a online statement, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the period after the landing.

She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on gynecological science and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.

A Path to Recovery

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had resulted from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.