🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a Amazon founder.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the automated spacecraft in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers. The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a fellow crew member in the days following the journey. She described the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault. “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.” Overshadowed by Sexism The researcher, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and astronaut training to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and new advocacy opportunities. Flight Details The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that passed the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a Amazon founder.