🔗 Share this article Astronaut Discloses Emotional Distress After Deluge of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “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 gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the wake of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried well-known figures. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a check-in call from a mission companion in the days following the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “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 gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and extensive preparation to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the well-wishers whose kindness pulled her through. “You were my salvation,” she wrote. She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the edge of outer space. The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.