Crew Member Shares Mental Health Struggle After ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured well-known figures.
The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight.
She characterized the press attention and digital reaction 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.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the tide of misogyny.
She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.
She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the experience, including elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
About the Mission
The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The group of women also comprised leaders in various fields.
The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
