Astronaut Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse 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 brief journey to space in April, which also included high-profile passengers.

The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.

She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the avalanche of gendered attacks.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

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

Finding Solid Ground

In the time since reaching space, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had resulted from the flight, including increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in different industries.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.