Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also included celebrity crewmates.
The high-profile flight 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 buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“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 fellow crew member in the days following the landing.
She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Buried Under Misogyny
Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – from her scientific research and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault.
Her own goal of reaching space was put on hold after being assaulted during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
In the time since reaching space, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she wrote.
She concluded that amid the criticism, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities.
Flight Details
The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The group of women also comprised experts in multiple disciplines.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a Amazon founder.