🔗 Share this article Astronaut Discloses Depression After Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. 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 explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint. 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 explained the depression could persist for a long time,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Eclipsed by Backlash Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also included experts in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.