Space Traveler Discloses Depression In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also included celebrity crewmates.
The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey.
She described the press attention and digital reaction 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 performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.
She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.
She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space.
The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from various fields.
The company behind the mission is a private space firm established by a Amazon founder.
