Space Traveler Shares Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has opened up regarding her emotional downturn after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – recognized as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The mission was heavily criticized 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 negative reaction buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey.

She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an unprecedented psychological assault.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

Ms. Nguyen, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of sexist vitriol.

She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after being assaulted during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said.

She added that amid the criticism, considerable good had emerged from the mission, such as elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

The Historic Journey

The fully automated New Shepard rocket departed its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.

The group of women also featured experts in various fields.

The enterprise behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.