This isn't the first time "ad astra per aspera" has been affiliated with "Star Trek." It's used as part of Starfleet and featured on an emblem for the fictional organization. Michael Okuda, who's worked as a graphic designer on several "Star Trek" properties, tweeted how pleased he was to see the phrase used as an episode title: "'Ad Astra Per Aspera.' I borrowed this motto, 'To the stars, through hardship,' from a plaque at Cape Canaveral, honoring the Apollo 1 crew. I used it on an emblem for Starfleet Command in ST: ENT. I was pleased to see it used as the title of an episode of Strange New Worlds."
And the phrase factors majorly in the "Strange New Worlds" episode. The plot deals with Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) facing court-martial in addition to dishonorable dismissal from Starfleet and potential imprisonment for a perceived violation of Starfleet's anti-genetic modification laws. At one point in the trial, her lawyer, Neera Ketoul (Yetide Badaki), calls Una to the stand, and she cites Starfleet's pre-Federation motto, "Ad astra per aspera," as the reason she joined, believing Starfleet celebrated diversity and would accept her no matter what. The team makes the case that Una sought asylum while joining Starfleet and should not be prosecuted, resulting in her acquittal.
As long as there's "Star Trek," there's going to be Latin in some form. So fans can enjoy engaging sci-fi stories while learning about important ideas and concepts.
