Crew Member Discloses Depression In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.
The mission was met with derision by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.
She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol.
She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning fighting for justice for victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.
Finding Solid Ground
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.
She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space.
The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.
The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a Amazon founder.