Crew Member Shares Depression Following Wave of Online Abuse After Historic Trip
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her struggle with mental health after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – recognized 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 questioned its cost and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the days following the journey.
She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
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 lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was overshadowed under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is best known for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of victims of sexual violence.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose kindness were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she said.
She added that even with the backlash, important benefits had resulted from the flight, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in the spring, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The diverse crew also included accomplished professionals from various fields.
The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm launched by a Amazon founder.
