On September 3, 2026, OpenAI released GPT-6 Astra, claiming it achieved a 'generational leap' and would be rolled out to users in phases. Initially, it was only available to select organizations and enterprise users participating in OpenAI's Daybreak cybersecurity project, with gradual access extended to all ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise users. On September 4, Altman announced that Astra would be open to all Plus and Business users. However, due to the high computational cost per message, Plus users could only use approximately 5 to 45 Astra messages every 5 hours, reverting to older models once the quota was exhausted. On September 5, OpenAI announced that Pro, Enterprise, and Business Premium users could now use Astra in ChatGPT Work and Codex, with the API launching simultaneously. On September 6, a Plus user posted on Reddit stating that using Astra's medium setting for a project burned through their 5-hour quota in just 15 minutes.