Crew Member Reveals Emotional Distress In the Wake of Deluge of Online Abuse Following Journey
A Vietnamese-American astronaut has publicly detailed her struggle with mental health after enduring a massive wave of online abuse in the wake of a landmark journey to the edge of space.
The 34-year-old activist – celebrated as a scientist and civil rights advocate – was part of the short-duration mission in the spring, which also included high-profile passengers.
The much-publicized journey was widely scrutinized by some, who challenged its value and ecological impact.
Reflecting on the situation, the astronaut, who was celebrated as the pioneer for her community, stated the intense backlash overshadowed her achievement under an torrent of sexist abuse.
“I said the emotional pain might endure for years,” she recounted in a social media post, referring to a supportive conversation from a mission companion in the aftermath of the flight.
She portrayed 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 revealed. “Weeks after, I was forced to terminate a call, my voice choked by tears.”
Overshadowed by Sexism
The researcher, who has conducted studies in gynecological science and operated research during the mission, said all her lifelong efforts – including her lab work and astronaut training to the personal milestone of her background – was buried under the deluge of gendered attacks.
She is most acclaimed for her tireless campaigning protecting the rights of survivors of assault.
Her own aspiration for spaceflight was paused after surviving a rape during her time as a student, leading to a long campaign for accountability.
The Fog Begins to Lift
Now, eight months after achieving her goal, she reports that the heaviest sorrow is beginning to clear, and she expressed gratitude the well-wishers whose kindness helped save her. “You all saved me,” she said.
She concluded that despite the negativity, considerable good had emerged from the flight, such as increased focus on her scientific work and platforms for her activism.
The Historic Journey
The fully automated spacecraft departed Texas in April, carrying the all-female team on a short trip that passed the Kármán line of space.
The diverse crew also included experts in various fields.
The enterprise behind the mission is a commercial aerospace company launched by a prominent billionaire entrepreneur.