Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse After Historic Trip

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also included high-profile passengers.

The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey.

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

Overshadowed by Sexism

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She noted that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the mission, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from various fields.

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