Space Traveler Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Harassment Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her battle with depression after enduring a “tsunami of harassment” in the wake 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 in the spring, which also featured celebrity crewmates.

The high-profile flight was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the vicious response overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.

“I explained the depression could persist for a long time,” she recounted in a public message, referring to a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the period after the landing.

She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an “onslaught no human brain has evolved to endure”.

“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she confessed. “A month later… I had to hang up… because I could not speak through my tears.”

Buried Under Misogyny

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to female health science and operated research during the flight, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and extensive preparation to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the deluge of misogyny.

She is most acclaimed for her pioneering work championing the cause of victims of sexual violence.

Her own aspiration for spaceflight was put on hold after surviving a rape during her college days, leading to a years-long quest for justice.

A Path to Recovery

Now, eight months after reaching space, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she expressed gratitude the followers whose support were her lifeline. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.

She added that even with the backlash, considerable good had resulted from the flight, including elevated attention for her scientific work and chances to influence leaders.

Flight Details

The self-operating New Shepard rocket lifted off from Texas in April, carrying the historic roster on a brief suborbital flight that passed the internationally recognized boundary of space.

The team of pioneers also comprised leaders in various fields.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a Amazon founder.