Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The much-publicized journey was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey.

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

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was overshadowed under the avalanche of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own goal of reaching space was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose kindness were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the mission, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space.

The team of pioneers also included experts in multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.