Astronaut Discloses Mental Health Struggle After Wave of Backlash Post-Spaceflight
A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her emotional downturn after enduring a relentless barrage of criticism in the aftermath of a historic all-female space mission.
The 34-year-old activist – known as a researcher and activist – was part of the short-duration mission earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates.
The mission was heavily criticized by some, who challenged its value and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who became the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the vicious response eclipsed her moment under an “avalanche of misogyny”.
“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, describing a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the flight.
She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an barrage beyond typical human coping.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of 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 performed experiments during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her studies and years of training to the personal milestone of her roots – was drowned out under the avalanche of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her groundbreaking advocacy protecting the rights of survivors of assault.
Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her college days, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
Finding Solid Ground
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she acknowledged the followers whose support helped save her. “Your support rescued me,” she wrote.
She noted that even with the backlash, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, including elevated attention for her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The self-operating New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a 11-minute journey that exceeded the internationally recognized boundary of outer space.
The team of pioneers also featured experts in various fields.
The company behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
