Crew Member Discloses Mental Health Struggle After ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.
She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her scientific research and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.
She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
In the time since achieving her goal, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the supporters whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a short trip that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.
The diverse crew also included experts in various fields.
The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
