🔗 Share this article Crew Member Discloses Emotional Distress Following Wave of Backlash 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 opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also included well-known figures. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, 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 online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also included experts in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her struggle with mental health after being subjected to a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a pioneering women-only spaceflight. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space in April, which also included well-known figures. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who made history as the pioneer for her community, 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 online statement, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey. She portrayed the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny Ms. Nguyen, who has dedicated her work to women's health research and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – including her lab work and years of training to the symbolic importance of her roots – was drowned out under the tide of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of survivors of assault. Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. Finding Solid Ground In the time since achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the followers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had emerged from the mission, such as spotlight on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of space. The group of women also included experts in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.