NASA has addressed a theory suggesting that Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds later this year.
A purported document from NASA, referred to as ‘Project Anchor’, was initially leaked in November 2024. According to this document, NASA supposedly predicted that Earth would experience a seven-second loss of gravity on August 12, 2026.
This speculation intensified earlier this month, with claims circulating that ’40 million deaths from falls’ could occur due to the alleged gravity loss.
However, NASA has debunked this unfounded online theory, assuring everyone that there is nothing to be concerned about.
NASA informed Snopes: “The Earth will not lose gravity on Aug. 12, 2026. Earth’s gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass. The only way for the Earth to lose gravity would be for the Earth system, the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, ocean, terrestrial water, and atmosphere, to lose mass. A total solar eclipse has no unusual impact on Earth’s gravity.
“The gravitational attraction of the Sun and Moon on the Earth, which doesn’t impact Earth’s total gravity, but does impact tidal forces, is well understood and is predictable decades in advance.”
Various social media platforms saw discussions about this theory until NASA clarified the situation. One notable instance involved a now-deleted Instagram account that generated significant attention.
The post’s caption stated: “On August 12, 2026, the world will lose gravity for 7 seconds. NASA knows. They’re preparing but won’t tell us why. In November 2024, a secret NASA document titled ‘Project Anchor’ leaked online.
“The project’s budget is $89 billion, and its goal is to survive a 7-second gravitational anomaly expected on August 12, 2026, at 14:33 UTC.”
The extravagant online theory also suggested over 40 million casualties, alongside ‘infrastructure destruction’, ‘mass panic’, and ‘economic collapse lasting over ten years’.
Snopes offered a detailed breakdown of the theory through another social media post. It outlined: “What will happen:1-2 seconds: Everything not secured will rise (people, vehicles, animals).3-4 seconds: Objects will continue to rise to 15-20 meters.5-6 seconds: Panic and chaos will ensue as people hit ceilings.7 seconds: Gravity returns, and everything falls from height.”
Fortunately, this entire online theory is baseless, as NASA has refuted the claims and Snopes has conducted an investigation, confirming that the suggestion holds no truth.