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A viral conspiracy theory claiming that Earth will briefly lose gravity in 2026 has sparked widespread panic online, prompting NASA-linked experts to debunk what scientists say is a fundamental misunderstanding of physics. The theory, circulating widely on X, TikTok and YouTube, alleges that on August 12, 2026, at exactly 14:33 GMT, Earth will lose gravity for seven seconds.
Posts claim NASA has long been aware of the event and has been secretly preparing under a classified programme called “Project Anchor.” Some versions warn that up to 40 million people could die due to the sudden loss of gravity.
NASA-Linked Response Shuts It Down
NASA’s name has repeatedly been pulled into the rumours, but the agency has firmly denied the claim. While NASA has not issued a standalone public advisory, a spokesperson told fact-checking website Snopes:
The spokesperson explained that gravity is not something that can switch off temporarily. “Earth’s gravity, or total gravitational force, is determined by its mass,” the statement said. “The only way for the Earth to lose gravity would be for the Earth system, the combined mass of its core, mantle, crust, oceans, terrestrial water, and atmosphere, to lose mass.”
No Evidence Of ‘Project Anchor’
Online investigators have found no trace of any leaked document, internal memo, or budget reference to a NASA initiative called Project Anchor. The alleged document said to have surfaced in November 2024 appears to be entirely fabricated.
Scientists say the theory itself reveals a basic misunderstanding of gravity, which is a constant force arising from Earth’s mass, not a system that can be paused or reset.
The claim gained further traction after being linked to an upcoming solar eclipse. NASA experts have dismissed this connection as well, noting that eclipses have no unusual impact on Earth’s gravity. While the Sun and Moon influence tides, those effects are well understood and predictable decades in advance.
Where The Idea Really Came From
Many viral posts point to a 2020 video by the YouTube science channel What If, which explored a purely hypothetical scenario in which Earth suddenly loses gravity. Scientists stress the video was speculative entertainment, not a forecast. NASA’s message is clear: gravity does not flicker, pause or disappear. Earth is not losing gravity in 2026, and Project Anchor exists only online.