🔗 Share this article Crew Member Reveals Depression Following Deluge of Harassment Following Journey The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” 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 earlier this year, which also carried well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. 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 confessed. “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 performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her studies and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose kindness were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
The scientist and activist, a women's health researcher, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in Spring 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” 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 earlier this year, which also carried well-known figures. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who questioned its cost and ecological impact. Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a check-in call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. 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 confessed. “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 performed experiments during the mission, said every professional achievement – from her studies and years of training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of sexist vitriol. She is best known for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors. Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose kindness were her lifeline. “You all saved me,” she affirmed. She noted that amid the criticism, important benefits had resulted from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism. Flight Details The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a short trip that crossed the Kármán line of space. The team of pioneers also featured leaders in multiple disciplines. The enterprise behind the mission is a private space firm established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.