Space Traveler Reveals Depression Following ‘Tsunami of Harassment Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in April, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the flight.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“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.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

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

A Path to Recovery

In the time since achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she thanked the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she wrote.

She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the mission, including spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of space.

The diverse crew also included experts in various fields.

The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.