Astronaut Shares Depression After Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates.

The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she confessed. “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 mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol.

She is best known for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for survivors of assault.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.

Flight Details

The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the edge of outer space.

The diverse crew also comprised experts in multiple disciplines.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.