🔗 Share this article Space Traveler Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described 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. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was aboard the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after facing a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space. The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also featured high-profile passengers. The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint. Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”. “I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” Ms. Nguyen stated in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight. She described 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. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.” Buried Under Misogyny The researcher, who has focused her career on women's health research and conducted tests during the flight, said everything she had worked for – including her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the tide of misogyny. She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work protecting the rights of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift In the time since fulfilling her dream, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said. She added that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the flight, including increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. About the Mission The computer-piloted New Shepard rocket launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also included experts in different industries. The venture behind the flight is a private space firm established by a well-known tech mogul.