A Lifetime of Dreams and the Journey to Zero Gravity
Robert Gordon McAfee, a 97-year-old man from the foothills of Appalachia in the United States, has always had a fascination with the stars. Now, over 90 years later, he’s finally experienced what it’s like to float in zero gravity. In February 2025, he made history as the oldest person to fly in zero gravity after joining a flight with the spaceflight company Zero G.
The retired psychiatrist was thrilled to share this experience with his beloved granddaughter, Kait, who helped him fulfill a dream that had been on his mind for decades. Robert described how, as a boy growing up in East Tennessee, he used to explore the forests and creeks near his home, playing with tadpoles and connecting with nature.
After serving in World War II, he attended medical school and practiced medicine in Kansas before retiring at the age of 85 as a psychiatrist. As a devoted family man, he shared a special bond with Kait, who encouraged him to take the leap into space after hearing him talk about his dreams for so long.
Kait arranged for Robert to join a Zero G flight in San Jose, California, on 22 February 2025. As a member of the United Flying Octogenarians, they wanted to honor his military service and 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,” Robert joked.
To prepare for the flight, Robert maintained an active lifestyle, continuing his daily walks and taking care of his physical health. When a doctor refused to clear him to fly, he didn’t hesitate—he simply wrote his own approval note, saying, “I think it was just his limit.”
On the day of the flight, Robert met up with his group of adventurous travelers inside the Zero G facilities and put on their special spacesuits. He also had the chance to meet Jack Pressman, the Guinness World Records holder for the youngest person to fly in zero gravity, who is just eight years old.
Despite the nerves of the trip, Robert wasn’t worried about the journey. “They make it sound dangerous… but I don’t think it is,” he said. As the plane ascended, his smile grew wider, and he realized he was achieving one of his childhood dreams.
“It was great,” he said. “If you like rollercoasters, that’s a rollercoaster on steroids!”
Once the plane reached its intended altitude, the group was allowed to release their seatbelts and float around in zero gravity. Robert and Kait spent those moments spinning and flipping like superheroes, with Robert grinning as he floated past other participants in the weightlessness of space.
After landing, Robert became a Guinness World Records titleholder, breaking the previous record set by 90-year-old astronaut candidate Ed Dwight in May 2024. Although he loved the experience, he admitted that the flight didn’t last long enough. He would have happily spent hours floating with Kait.
For those inspired by Robert’s late-in-life adventure, he advised staying active both mentally and physically. Without being in good shape, he said, it would be nearly impossible to achieve such dreams at his age.
So, congratulations to Robert and his incredible granddaughter, Kait, for making this unforgettable experience happen. You are both officially amazing!
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