Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress After Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who became the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams 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 mission companion in the days following the flight.

She characterized 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 revealed. “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 performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her studies and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her roots – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the followers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had emerged from the experience, including elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.

About the Mission

The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also featured experts in different industries.

The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.