OpenAI releases GPT-5.6 suite in limited preview

OpenAI released a limited preview of the GPT-5.6 series with three tiers—Sol, Terra, and Luna—after the White House requested restricted access. The flagship Sol tier features new reasoning modes and is priced at $5 input and $30 output per token. CEO Sam Altman said access will be approved customer by customer.

OpenAI has begun a limited preview of the GPT-5.6 series, introducing three capability tiers: Sol flagship , Terra balanced , and Luna fast, low-cost , according to OpenAI's announcement and reporting by 9to5Mac. Per the company, Sol gains two new modes, max for deeper reasoning and ultra which uses subagents to accelerate complex tasks. Multiple outlets report the rollout is restricted after a request from the U.S. administration: Axios and CNN say the White House's Office of the National Cyber Director and the Office of Science and Technology Policy asked OpenAI to preview the model with a small set of government-approved partners, and The Information reported CEO Sam Altman told staff access would be approved "customer by customer." The Verge published per-token pricing for Sol at $5 input / $30 output and described safety controls for cyber assistance.