A pioneering space traveler has publicly detailed her battle with depression after being subjected to a “tsunami of harassment” in the aftermath of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
The 34-year-old activist – known as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the brief journey to space earlier this year, which also included celebrity crewmates.
The high-profile flight was met with derision by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.
Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who made history as the first Vietnamese woman in space, stated the negative reaction eclipsed her moment under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a public message, recalling a check-in call from a fellow crew member in the aftermath of the journey.
She characterized the subsequent media coverage and social media frenzy as an unprecedented psychological assault.
“I did not leave Texas for a week, unable to get out of bed,” she wrote. “Even a month on, a phone call ended with me hanging up, weeping uncontrollably.”
The researcher, who has conducted studies in women's health research and operated research during the flight, said everything she had worked for – from her studies and astronaut training to the symbolic importance of her background – was drowned out under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is widely recognized for her pioneering work championing the cause of sexual assault survivors.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was deferred after being assaulted during her university years, leading to a years-long quest for justice.
Now, eight months after fulfilling her dream, she has stated the “fog of grief has started to lift”, and she thanked the supporters whose support pulled her through. “You all saved me,” she said.
She noted that amid the criticism, considerable good had come out of the mission, such as increased focus on her women's health research and platforms for her activism.
The fully automated New Shepard rocket launched from its launch site in April, carrying the all-female team on a brief suborbital flight that exceeded the edge of outer space.
The group of women also comprised accomplished professionals from various fields.
The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.
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