Crew Member Reveals Depression After ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight.

She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Eclipsed by Backlash

The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was buried under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

The Fog Begins to Lift

Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She concluded that despite the negativity, important benefits had come out of the experience, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the edge of space.

The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries.

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