Astronaut Reveals Depression In the Wake of Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her battle with depression after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath 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 earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the landing.

She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and performed experiments during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was drowned out under the tide of gendered attacks.

She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Months following achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the mission, such as spotlight on her women's health research and chances to influence leaders.

About the Mission

The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of space.

The group of women also featured leaders in different industries.

The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a well-known tech mogul.