🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut 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 researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised leaders in different industries. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut 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 researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy 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.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny. She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised leaders in different industries. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.