Per aspera ad astra
- For other uses, see Per aspera ad astra (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]
- Education and research:
- California State University East Bay http://www.csueastbay.edu/
- Stevens Institute of Technology[5]
- Campbell University (Ad astra per aspera)[6]
- Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas[7]
- 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)
- Alexandru Papiu Ilarian High School[8] in Targu-Mures,Romania
- The Mirman School, Los Angeles, CA (Ad Astra per aspera): www.mirman.org
- Fraternities and sororities:
- Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity[9]
- Sigma Gamma Phi - Arethusa Sorority[citation needed]
- Political entities:
- State of Kansas (Ad astra per aspera)[10]
- Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin[11]
- City of Gouda, Netherlands[citation needed]
- Town of Coalhurst, Alberta
- Popular culture:
- 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.
- 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:
- Starfleet, the Earth-based, interplanetary diplomatic body from Star Trek (Ad Astra per aspera)
- Inscribed on the crest of Pall Mall cigarettes packages[12]
Variants
- Ad Astra per aspera ("To the stars through hardships")
- Per ardua ad astra ("Through adversity to the Stars")
References
- ^ The South African Air Force Emblems
- ^ Royal Air Force FAQ: What is the RAF Motto
- ^ Academia Tehnica Militara
- ^ [1]
- ^ Stevens Institute of Technology: About Stevens
- ^ Campbell University: General Information
- ^ Greenhill School: Statement of Philosophy
- ^ http://www.papiu.ro Colegiul National Alexandru Papiu Ilarian
- ^ Beta Sigma Psi 2006 National Convention, see page header
- ^ Kansas Seal
- ^ Decorations of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin
- ^ History of Cigarette Brands: Pall Mall