Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured high-profile passengers.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the landing.
She described the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.
She is best known for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.
The group of women also included accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.
The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.