Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Deluge of Online Abuse After Historic Trip
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a researcher and activist – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also carried high-profile passengers.
The mission was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the ordeal, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a online statement, recalling a phone call from a mission companion in the period after the journey.
She characterized the press attention and digital reaction as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“Stuck in Texas, I spent a week unable to rise from my bed,” she revealed. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
Buried Under Misogyny
The researcher, who has focused her career on female health science and operated research during the flight, said every professional achievement – including her studies and extensive preparation to the historic significance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the deluge of misogyny.
She is widely recognized for her groundbreaking advocacy championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a protracted legal battle.
A Path to Recovery
Months following achieving her goal, she reports that the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she expressed gratitude the supporters whose support helped save her. “You were my salvation,” she affirmed.
She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had resulted from the mission, including increased focus on her scientific work and new advocacy opportunities.
The Historic Journey
The self-operating spacecraft launched from its launch site in April, carrying the historic roster on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of space.
The team of pioneers also comprised experts in various fields.
The enterprise behind the flight is a private space firm founded by a Amazon founder.
