Crew Member Reveals Mental Health Struggle Following ‘Tsunami of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included well-known figures.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the journey.

She portrayed 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 wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and astronaut training to the historic significance of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

Finding Solid Ground

Months following fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.

She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated spacecraft departed 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 group of women also included leaders in various fields.

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