Per aspera ad Astra

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For the band, see Ad Astra Per Aspera (band)

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Per aspera ad Astra is a Latin phrase which literally means "Through hardships to the stars". The variant Ad Astra per aspera ("To the stars through hardships") is occasionally used instead. These two phrases serve as the motto of various organizations.

• United States space agency NASA
• South African Air Force
• Stevens Institute of Technology
• Sigma Gamma Phi - Arethusa Sorority
• United States state of Kansas (the variant phrase)
• Campbell University (the variant phrase)

The phrase also appears on all Pall Mall cigarette packs.

Note that the Royal Air Force uses a similar Latin phrase Per ardua ad Astra as its motto. This is usually translated "Through adversity 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 many variants.

The variant phrase, Ad Astra Per Aspera, is the motto of Starfleet, the Earth-based, interplanetary diplomatic body from Star Trek.

The phrase is also the motto of the house of Mecklenburg-Schwerin.

Per aspera ad astra is also the motto of Military Tehnical Academy in Bucharest, Romania

Per aspera ad astra is also on the crest on a package of Pall Mall cigarettes.

Aspera! Per aspera! Per ardua! Ad astra! is the refrain of the song "Aspera" by Erin McKeown.