🔗 Share this article Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Harassment Following Journey The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried well-known figures. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also featured experts in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried well-known figures. The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the ordeal, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on gynecological science and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. The Fog Begins to Lift Months following reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose messages of encouragement were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said. She concluded that amid the criticism, significant positive outcomes had resulted from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space. The group of women also featured experts in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.