Crew Member Discloses Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Backlash After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the wake 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 earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers.

The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as 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 social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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 confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and performed experiments during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.

She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.

She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the mission, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The group of women also included accomplished professionals from different industries.

The company behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.