Crew Member Shares Emotional Distress Following Wave of Online Abuse Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
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 included well-known figures.
The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the negative reaction buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the days following the flight.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse 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 revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was buried under the deluge of sexist vitriol.
She is best known for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
Months following reaching space, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose kindness were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.
She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had resulted from the flight, such as spotlight on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
Flight Details
The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of space.
The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from different industries.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.