Astronaut Discloses Depression After Deluge of Backlash Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring 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 brief journey to space in April, which also carried celebrity crewmates.

The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey.

She described the news reports and online discourse 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.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

In the time since reaching space, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.

She added that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of space.

The group of women also included leaders in multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.