🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated 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, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She noted that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The group of women also included experts in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also carried celebrity crewmates. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated 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, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight. She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an barrage beyond typical human coping. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she thanked the followers whose support pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She noted that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The group of women also included experts in various fields. The venture behind the mission is a private space firm founded by a well-known tech mogul.