Space Traveler Reveals Depression Following Wave of Backlash Following Journey
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after being subjected to 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 researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included well-known figures.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and carbon footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, describing a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the period after the flight.
She described the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“For a full week, I was bedridden and couldn't leave my Texas location,” she revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Eclipsed by Backlash
The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and conducted tests during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – from her scientific research and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.
She is best known for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose kindness were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She added that despite the negativity, important benefits had emerged from the experience, including spotlight on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
About the Mission
The computer-piloted spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the six-woman crew on a 11-minute journey that passed the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The team of pioneers also featured leaders in various fields.
The company behind the mission is a private space firm launched by a well-known tech mogul.
