Astronaut Discloses Depression In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured well-known figures.

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

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash 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 phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the journey.

She described 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 revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

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 – from her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is widely recognized for her pioneering work fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said.

She added that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The diverse crew also featured experts in different industries.

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