is a Latin phrase meaning "to the stars". The phrase has origins with Virgil, who wrote in his Aeneid: "sic itur ad astra" ('thus one journeys to the stars') and "opta ardua pennis astra sequi" ('desire to pursue the high[/hard to reach] stars on wings'). Another origin is Seneca the Younger, who wrote in Hercules: "" ('there is no easy way from the earth to the stars').
Etymology
Ad is a Latin preposition expressing direction toward in space or time (e.g. ad nauseam, ad infinitum, ad hoc, ad libidem, ad valorem, ad hominem). It is also used as a prefix in Latin word formation.
Astra is the accusative plural form of the Latin word astrum 'star' (from Ancient Greek ἄστρον astron 'star', from Proto-Indo-European *h₂ster-).
Mottos
is used as, or as part of, the motto of many organizations, most prominently, air forces. It has also been adopted as a proper name for various unrelated things (publications, bands, video games, etc.). It likewise sees general use as a popular Latin tag.
Ad astra
Ad Astra Rocket Company, Webster, Texas, United States
Motto of Astor family
Innova Junior College, Singapore
Presbyterian Ladies' College, Armidale, Australia
United States Air Force Academy Class of 2007
United States Coast Guard Academy Class of 1992
USS Taurus (PHM-3) University College Dublin, member institution of the National University of Ireland Downe House School, AGN house motto
Ad astra per alas porci
"To the stars on the wings of a pig" Motto on John Steinbeck's personal stamp, featuring a figure of the Pigasus. Steinbeck's motto had an error in the Latin and used 'alia' instead of 'alas'. Title of Chris Thile's Mandolin Concerto.
Ad astra per aspera
"To the stars through difficulties;" "a rough road leads to the stars;" or "Through hardships, to the stars." Aeronautica Militare Italiana (eng.: The Italian Air Force), is the air force of the Italian Republic. The Italian Air Force was founded as an independent service arm on 28 March 1923 by King Victor Emmanuel III as the Regia Aeronautica ("Royal Air Force"). Italy was among the earliest adopters of military aviation. Its air arm dates back to 1884, when the Italian Royal Army (Regio Esercito) was authorised to acquire its own air component. Albury High School in Albury, New South Wales, Australia Apollo 1 memorial placed at Launch Complex 34 Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina Dr Challoner's Grammar School in Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England Immaculate Conception High School in Saint Andrew Parish, Jamaica, West Indies Kansas (U.S. state motto) Morristown-Beard School in Morristown, New Jersey Mount Saint Michael Academy in The Bronx, New York City Starfleet, the fictional organization in the Star Trek universe Trinity Preparatory School in Winter Park, Florida University of Klagenfurt Woodville High School, South Australia
De profundis ad astra
"From the depths to the stars." Los Angeles Science Fantasy Society. The official motto of the world's oldest continually operating science fiction fan social club, founded in 1934.
Per ardua ad astra
"Through adversity to the stars" or "Through struggle to the stars." Royal Air Force Royal Australian Air Force Royal Canadian Air Force (prior to 1968) Royal Flying Corps Royal Indian Air Force (1932 - 1950) Royal New Zealand Air Force Air Operations Branch of the Canadian Armed Forces University of Birmingham
Per aspera ad astra
"Through hardships to the stars" or "To the stars through difficulties." Coat of arms of Mecklenburg-Schwerin South African Air Force Stevens Institute of Technology Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin State of Kansas (Ad astra per aspera) Municipality of Cheribon, Netherlands East Indies City of Gouda, The Netherlands Instituto Nacional Mejía
Per audacia ad astra
"Through boldness to the stars." Bungie
Quam celerrime ad astra
"speedily to the stars." Chilean Air Force
Sic itur ad astra
"Thus one goes to the stars." The Philomathean Society, Philadelphia, PA, USA The Canongate, Edinburgh Admiral Collingwood Lodge, Australia Richmond, Virginia (city) Argentine Air Force, Materiel Command, Argentina The Geelong College, Australia Canadian Air Force (1920–24) Colombian Aerospace Force 48 Air School in Woodbridge East London, one of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan facilities in South Africa. Other units had Ad Unum Ad Astra and Per Artem Ad Astra. Llandysul Grammar School, Llandysul, Ceredigion, Wales