Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress After Deluge of Backlash Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates.
The much-publicized journey was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey.
She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she confessed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was buried under the tide of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the followers whose messages of encouragement helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote.
She concluded that amid the criticism, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as spotlight on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
About the Mission
The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space.
The diverse crew also comprised experts in various fields.
The company behind the flight is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
