🔗 Share this article Astronaut Shares Emotional Distress After ‘Tsunami of Harassment After Historic Trip The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “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 performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was buried under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.
The scientist and activist, a bioastronautics research scientist, was a passenger on the New Shepard NS-31 rocket in April 2025. A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her emotional downturn after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission. The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers. The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact. Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Nguyen, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an landslide of gendered hatred. “I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey. She described the press attention and digital reaction as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”. “For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “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 performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her background – was buried under the deluge of misogyny. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work fighting for justice for sexual assault survivors. Her own goal of reaching space was paused after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a protracted legal battle. The Fog Begins to Lift Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she noted the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she said. She noted that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism. The Historic Journey The computer-piloted spacecraft lifted off from its launch site in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space. The team of pioneers also comprised accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines. The company behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.