Astronaut Reveals Mental Health Struggle In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey

A Vietnamese-American astronaut has spoken candidly about her battle with depression after facing a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a historic all-female space mission.

The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the 11-minute suborbital flight in the spring, which also carried high-profile passengers.

The high-profile flight was heavily criticized by some, who cited its expense and environmental footprint.

Reflecting on the experience, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash buried her dreams under an landslide of gendered hatred.

“I told her my depression might last for years,” the astronaut shared in a public message, referring to a phone call from a mission companion in the aftermath of the journey.

She characterized the news reports and online discourse as an barrage beyond typical human coping.

“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.”

Overshadowed by Sexism

The researcher, who has dedicated her work to gynecological science and conducted tests during the mission, said everything she had worked for – from her lab work and years of training to the historic significance of her heritage – was overshadowed under the tide of misogyny.

She is widely recognized for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault.

Her own dream of becoming an astronaut was deferred after an attack during her university years, leading to a long campaign for accountability.

A Path to Recovery

Months following achieving her goal, she has stated the deepest pain is gradually receding, and she acknowledged the well-wishers whose support were her lifeline. “You were my salvation,” she wrote.

She noted that despite the negativity, significant positive outcomes had come out of the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.

About the Mission

The fully automated spacecraft launched from Texas in the spring, carrying the six-woman crew on a brief suborbital flight that crossed the Kármán line of outer space.

The diverse crew also comprised accomplished professionals from multiple disciplines.

The venture behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company established by a well-known tech mogul.