🔗 Share this article Crew Member Shares Depression In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Following Journey The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, 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, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in April, which also featured high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, 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, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – from her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following achieving her goal, she noted the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote. She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The self-operating spacecraft lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of outer space. The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.