Per aspera ad astra

:"For other uses, see Per aspera ad astra (disambiguation)."

"Per aspera ad astra" is a Latin phrase which literally means "Through hardships to the stars". 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:
**South African Air Force [ [http://www.saairforce.co.za/the-airforce/structure/sandf-emblems The South African Air Force Emblems] ]
** Royal Air Force ("Per Ardua Ad Astra") [ [http://www.raf.mod.uk/links/faqs.cfm Royal Air Force FAQ: What is the RAF Motto] ]
** Military Technical Academy in Bucharest, Romania [ [http://www.mta.ro/motto.php Academia Tehnica Militaria] ]

* Education and research:
** California State University East Bay http://www.csueastbay.edu/
** Stevens Institute of Technology [ [http://www.stevens.edu/sit/about/campus.cfm Stevens Institute of Technology: About Stevens] ]
** Campbell University ("Ad astra per aspera") [ [http://www.campbell.edu/catalog/03_05/gen_info.html Campbell University: General Information] ]
** Greenhill School in Dallas, Texas [ [http://web2.greenhill.org/About/Philosophy.aspx Greenhill School: Statement of Philosophy] ]
** Albury High School ("Ad Astra per aspera") http://www.albury-h.schools.nsw.edu.au/

* Fraternities and sororities:
** Beta Sigma Psi National Lutheran Fraternity [ [http://convention.betasigmapsi.org/ Beta Sigma Psi 2006 National Convention, see page header] ]
** Sigma Gamma Phi - Arethusa SororityFact|date=August 2008

* Political entities:
** State of Kansas ("Ad astra per aspera") [ [http://www.governor.ks.gov/Facts/kansasseal.htm Kansas Seal] ]
** Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin [ [http://home.att.net/~david.danner/militaria/schwerin.htm Decorations of the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin] ]
** City of Gouda, NetherlandsFact|date=August 2008

* Popular culture:
** Popular Filipino comic writer Pol Medina, Jr. of Pugad Baboy fameFact|date=August 2008
** "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 ActFact|date=August 2008

* Others:
** Starfleet, the Earth-based, interplanetary diplomatic body from Star Trek ("Ad Astra per aspera")
** Inscribed on the crest of Pall Mall cigarettes packages [ [http://history-of-cigarette-brands.com/pall-mall.shtml History of Cigarette Brands: Pall Mall] ]

Variants

* "Ad Astra per aspera" ("To the stars through hardships")
* "Per Ardua Ad Astra" ("Through adversity to the stars")

References