🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Backlash Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler 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 short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight. She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from various fields. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler 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 short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, describing a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight. She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was drowned out under the avalanche of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was paused after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice. A Path to Recovery Months following fulfilling her dream, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she affirmed. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated spacecraft departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the edge of space. The team of pioneers also featured accomplished professionals from various fields. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.