Unraveling the Cosmic Journey: Decoding the Enigma of Ad Astra Per Aspera in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 2 titled "Ad Astra Per Aspera", Commander Una Chin-Riley finds herself facing a trial for hiding her Illyrian heritage from Starfleet due to the Federation's ban on genetic enhancements. The episode delves into the lack of cultural understanding within the Federation's laws, leading to a legal battle for Una's freedom and her Starfleet career. The accusations extend to Captain Christopher Pike as Vice Admiral Pasalk seeks to dismantle the entire command structure of the USS Enterprise.

"Ad Astra per Aspera" serves as a classic Star Trek courtroom episode, showcasing Una's struggle within the historical context of discriminatory laws that targeted individuals based on their gender, religious beliefs, or sexual orientation. Una's lawyer and childhood best friend, Neera, who is also an Illyrian, has dedicated her life to fighting for the civil rights of their people. The episode aptly takes its name from the Latin phrase "Ad Astra per Aspera", which also features in the renowned civil rights courtroom drama, To Kill a Mockingbird. This phrase holds great inspiration for Una and Starfleet itself.

The Meaning of “Ad Astra Per Aspera” In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

The original meaning of "Ad astra per aspera" is "To the stars through difficulty," however, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds chooses to interpret "difficulty" as "hardship" for a more emotional impact. Una shares a heartfelt story about how she discovered the original Starfleet while in school and found inspiration in the phrase, which was the organization's initial motto. In the Star Trek: Enterprise finale, "Ad astra per aspera" can be seen embroidered onto the new Starfleet uniforms. It is fitting that Una draws inspiration from this era of Starfleet's history since Enterprise introduced the Illyrians to the Star Trek universe.

To Una, the phrase represents the recognition of the laborious efforts that allowed humanity to venture into space, as well as a message of hope. As a persecuted Illyrian child, Una believed that if she could endure the hardships of life in the fractured Federation colony where she grew up, she could one day explore the stars. Una wholeheartedly embraced Starfleet's original motto, dreaming of escaping the difficulties and divisions of earthly life for a more equitable and unified society within Starfleet. Unfortunately, this dream could potentially be taken away from her once her trial concludes.

What Happens To Number One In “Ad Astra Per Aspera”?

Una's faith in Starfleet as an organization is well-founded, as it ultimately works in her favor during the trial's conclusion. Neera utilizes Una's personal narrative of the persecution she endured as a child to present a compelling case of someone escaping life-threatening mistreatment due to her cultural and religious beliefs. According to the principles outlined in the Starfleet Charter, individuals who face such persecution are eligible for asylum within the Federation, even in spite of the restriction on genetic enhancements.

Neera skillfully presents the events of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 1 - Una openly disclosing her Illyrian heritage to Pike and then willingly surrendering herself - as an official application for asylum. The Judge Advocate General acknowledges the validity of this argument and grants Una protection within the Federation and Starfleet. With Una's suffering now come to an end, Neera optimistically notes that this victory serves as an important initial stride towards a future where other Illyrians may also aspire to reach the stars in a similar manner.

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 streams Thursdays on Paramount+.