🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress Following Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She described the press attention and digital reaction 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. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was onboard the automated spacecraft in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates. The mission was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact. Reflecting on the situation, Ms. Nguyen, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response buried her dreams under an torrent of sexist abuse. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight. She described the press attention and digital reaction 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. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.” Overshadowed by Sexism Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on women's health research and operated research during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and years of training to the personal milestone of her heritage – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks. She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault. Her own goal of reaching space was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice. Finding Solid Ground Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She concluded that even with the backlash, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her scientific work and chances to influence leaders. Flight Details The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the Kármán line of outer space. The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from different industries. The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company founded by a well-known tech mogul.