Crew Member Reveals Depression In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included high-profile passengers.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who questioned its cost and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” she recounted in a social media post, recalling a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the days following the flight.
She portrayed the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she wrote. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the mission, said every professional achievement – including her studies and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her heritage – was buried under the tide of sexist vitriol.
She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy fighting for justice for survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after an attack during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
A Path to Recovery
Months following fulfilling her dream, she noted the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she acknowledged the supporters whose kindness pulled her through. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She noted that despite the negativity, considerable good had come out of the experience, such as spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
About the Mission
The self-operating New Shepard rocket departed Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that crossed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The diverse crew also featured accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.
The venture behind the flight is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.
