For other uses, see Ad astra per aspera (disambiguation).

Per aspera ad astra is a Latin phrase which means "To the stars through difficulties" as seen on an Apollo 1 plaque at launch complex 34. The phrase is one of many Latin sayings which use the expression Ad astra.

Various organizations and groups use this expression and its variants:

• Military and Government:
  • South African Air Force^[1]
  • Royal Air Force (Per Ardua Ad Astra)^[2]
  • Military Technical Academy in Bucharest, Romania ^[3]
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration^[4]
  • Department of Civil Aviation (Thailand)^[5]

• Education and research:
  • California State University East Bay http://www.csueastbay.edu/
  • Stevens Institute of Technology^[6]
  • Campbell University (Ad astra per aspera)^[7]
  • Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas^[8]
  • Albury High School (Ad Astra per aspera) http://www.albury-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/
  • Dr Challoner's Grammar School (Ad astra per aspera)
  • University High School in Fresno, California (Ad astra per aspera)
  • Gravesend Grammar School for Girls (Kent, UK)
  • Immaculate Conception High School for Girls (Jamaica)
  • Alexandru Papiu Ilarian High School^[9] in Targu-Mures,Romania
  • The Mirman School, Los Angeles, CA (Ad Astra per aspera): www.mirman.org
  • University of Tennessee Space Institute
  • Keila-Joa Boarding School in Türisalu,Estonia (Per aspera ad astra..)^[10]
  • St. Paul's Girl's School, Milagiriya, Sri Lanka (Per aspera ad astra)
  • Rotorua Boys' High School in Rotorua, New Zealand ("Ad astra per aspera")

• Fraternities and sororities:
  • Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity^[11]
  • Sigma Gamma Phi - Arethusa Sorority^{[citation needed]}

• Political entities:
  • State of Kansas (Ad astra per aspera)^[12]
  • Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin^[13]
  • City of Gouda, Netherlands^{[citation needed]}
  • Town of Coalhurst, Alberta

• Popular culture:
  • Tomo Milicevic, of the band 30 Seconds to Mars, has a tattoo on his right forearm reading 'per aspera et astra', with the band's logo in the background in red.
  • Popular Filipino comic writer Pol Medina, Jr. of Pugad Baboy fame^{[citation needed]}
  • Aspera! Per aspera! Per ardua! Ad astra! is the refrain of the song "Aspera" by Erin McKeown
  • At the end of the credits of a Half-Life 2 mod called Riot Act^{[citation needed]}
  • Said by Neil Patrick Harris in episode 18, season 4 of the TV show, Doogie Howser, M.D.
  • Title of a play depicting the history of the fictional Maycomb County in To Kill A Mockingbird.
  • Title of a song by Haggard.
  • It is one of many hidden messages in the 2009 video game The Conduit.
  • Motto of the Martian Imperial Commandos in Kurt Vonnegut novel, The Sirens of Titan.
  • Title of a song by Seattle based band Acceptance.
  • Title of a song by Goasia, appearing on the album From Other Spaces (Suntrip records, 2007)
  • Appears on Right side shoulder patch in Star Trek Enterprise; on the "newer" uniform style shown on the series finale.
  • It is the name of an album by Stars of the Lid

• Others:
  • A plaque honoring the astronauts of Apollo 1 at the launch site where they perished.
  • Starfleet, the Earth-based, interplanetary diplomatic body from Star Trek (Ad Astra per aspera)
  • Inscribed on the crest of Pall Mall cigarettes packages^[14]

[edit] Variants

• Ad Astra per aspera ("To the stars through adversity")
• Per ardua ad astra ("Through adversity to the Stars")
• "To Kill A Mockingbird"

[edit] References

1. ^ The South African Air Force Emblems
2. ^ Royal Air Force FAQ: What is the RAF Motto
3. ^ Academia Tehnica Militara
4. ^ [1]
5. ^ Department of Civil Aviation Emblems
6. ^ Stevens Institute of Technology: About Stevens
7. ^ Campbell University: General Information
8. ^ Greenhill School: Statement of Philosophy
9. ^ http://www.papiu.ro Colegiul National Alexandru Papiu Ilarian
10. ^ http://www.keila-joa.edu.ee Keila-Joa Boarding School
11. ^ Beta Sigma Psi 2006 National Convention, see page header
12. ^ Kansas Seal
13. ^ Decorations of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
14. ^ History of Cigarette Brands: Pall Mall