97-year-old WWII veteran becomes oldest to fly in zero gravity during incredible trip
When Robert Gordon McAfee (USA) was growing up in the foothills of Appalachia, he used to look up at the stars – and now, over 90 years later, he’s finally visited them.
Last February, the 97-year-old became the oldest man to fly in zero gravity after ascending to the peak of our atmosphere with the Zero G lunar spaceflight company.
During the short ride, the retired psychiatrist was thrilled to weightlessly float alongside his beloved granddaughter Kait, who helped him finally achieve his dream of flight after decades of life on solid ground.
Robert told GWR that while living in East Tennessee as a boy, he would wander out into the forest and creeks near his home to play with tadpoles and explore nature. After serving in WWII, he attended medical school before practising “a little bit of everything” in Kansas, and finally retired as a psychiatrist at the age of 85.
A devoted family man, Robert is particularly close with his granddaughter Kait – and after years of hearing him talk about spaceflight, she convinced him to join her on a Zero G flight in San Jose, California on 22 February 2025.
As a longtime aviation and spaceflight enthusiast and current member of the United Flying Octogenarians, the duo wanted to honour his years of service to the US military, as well as the memory of his brother JG McAfee, who taught him to fly.
“I had somebody that was influencing me about [travelling to zero gravity] – and she came up with an offer that I couldn't refuse,” joked Robert.
To prepare for the flight, Robert made sure to stay active, continuing his daily walks and giving attention to his physical health.
And when a doctor refused to give him a note clearing him to fly, the nonagenarian wasn’t phased – “I think it was just his limit,” Robert said, before writing the approval note for himself.
He was a doctor, after all!
The day of the flight, the excited grandfather and his thoughtful granddaughter met up with their group of brave adventurers inside the Zero G facilities, and zipped into their special spacesuits.
Robert also had the honour of meeting Jack Pressman on the site, who currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the youngest person to fly in zero gravity (male) at the age of eight years old.
Despite the nerve-wracking nature of the trip itself, Robert wasn’t concerned about the thought of travelling to the atmospheric limit, saying that “they make it sound dangerous… but I don’t think it is.”
And as the group ascended further and further up, the smile on his face got larger as he realized he was finally accomplishing one of his childhood dreams.
“It was great,” he said. “If you like rollercoasters, that's a rollercoaster on steroids!”
When the plane finally reached its intended altitude, the group was finally permitted to release their seatbelts and float around in zero gravity, and Robert and Kait spent those precious moments spinning around together like two superheroes!
Twisting around and completing flips like he was a teenager again, Robert had a massive grin on his face as he drifted around the plane, gently gliding past the groups of joyful participants in the weightlessness of space.
After they landed, Robert returned to solid ground as a Guinness World Records titleholder, officially beating the record set by 90-year-old astronaut candidate Ed Dwight in May 2024.
Although he loved the experience, he said the flight didn’t last quite long enough – and he would’ve happily spent hours floating around with his granddaughter!
Robert and Kait
And to all those inspired by Robert’s late-in-life record-breaking quest, the proud record holder advised everyone to stay active – both mentally and physically. Without being in such good shape, it would be near impossible for him to accomplish his dreams at such an impressive age.
So congratulations to Robert – as well as his incredible granddaughter, Kait, for arranging this memorable experience – you are both Officially Amazing!