Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment After Historic Trip

A pioneering space traveler has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.

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 high-profile flight was heavily criticized 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 intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a phone call from a fellow crew member in the period after the flight.

She portrayed 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.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has conducted studies in women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her scientific research and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was put on hold after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

Finding Solid Ground

Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose messages of encouragement pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she affirmed.

She added that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.

The Historic Journey

The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the edge of outer space.

The team of pioneers also comprised experts in various fields.

The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.