Crew Member Reveals Depression In the Wake of Wave of Harassment Following Journey

A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

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

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her heritage – was drowned out under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the supporters whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said.

She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the experience, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The computer-piloted spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also included leaders in multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.