Quick Answer
GPT-6 Astra has no official release date. The timeline so far: revealed August 1 via a math paper, delayed August 7 when its cybersecurity eval hit "Critical." Prediction markets put a September release at ~59% by Sep 15 and ~72% by Sep 30 — so a September launch is likely, but nothing is guaranteed.
The Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 2026-08-01 | 249-page paper shows 10 math problems + Lean 4 verification — Astra's first public signal |
| 2026-08-07 | Cybersecurity eval reaches Critical; release slowed into isolated testing |
| 2026-08-20 (today) | Still unreleased — no date, no waitlist |
| Projected | ~59% by Sep 15, ~72% by Sep 30 (prediction markets) |
Two cross-checks add context: Sam Altman reportedly demoed Astra in Washington, and it's the first frontier model evaluated under the Trump administration's AI reporting framework — a new process that itself adds friction.
Why It's Delayed
The single biggest variable is safety, not engineering. Astra's cybersecurity capabilities exceeded OpenAI's internal threshold ("Critical"), triggering additional review, guardrails, and isolated testing. OpenAI's track record — GPT-5 went through similar safety-review delays — suggests this is "delay, then conditional release," not cancellation.
How to Be Ready on Day One
Don't wait for the announcement. Astra speaks the OpenAI-compatible API, so day-one access is just two fields:
from openai import OpenAI
client = OpenAI(
api_key="sk-teamo-xxxxxx",
base_url="https://api.teamorouter.com/v1",
)
resp = client.chat.completions.create(
model="gpt-6", # replace with the official name on launch
messages=[{"role": "user", "content": "..."}],
)
Whether Astra lands September 15 or September 30, a ready gateway key means you switch one model name instead of scrambling through signup, top-up, and network setup.
FAQ
Q: Has OpenAI announced an exact date?
No. Every specific date you see is a prediction or rumor. Treat "confirmed for " posts as unverified.
Q: Could it slip to late 2026 or 2027?
Possibly. Until the Critical cybersecurity review clears, release stays gated. The market's ~72% by Sep 30 also means a ~28% chance it slips further.
Q: Is it worth tracking now, or should I wait?
Track it, but "prepare access, don't bet on a date." Set up the OpenAI-compatible gateway and routing logic now, so the date doesn't matter to your rollout.
Summary
GPT-6 Astra will likely ship in September (~72% market odds), but the cybersecurity review keeps the date uncertain. Don't bet on a specific day — just prep the access layer. Sign up for TeamoRouter and you're a model-name swap away when it lands.
Get Started
Generate your key at TeamoRouter and point base_url at https://api.teamorouter.com/v1.
