Star Trek: Starfleet Academy Adopts Strange New Worlds’ Motto

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Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy’s Series Premiere – “Kids These Days”

Captain Nahla Ake (Holly Hunter) provided the Latin motto from Star Trek: Strange New Worlds for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. The first two episodes of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy—which has a ‘Certified Fresh’ rating on Rotten Tomatoes—debuted on Paramount+ and were well-received by Star Trek fans.

Star Trek: Starfleet Academy follows the first group of new cadets training in San Francisco, Earth, after a 120-year gap. The academy had been closed during the 31st century when a catastrophic event called The Burn caused the United Federation of Planets to fall apart. Following this, Earth became isolated and forced the Federation to disband.

The arrival of Captain Ake as Chancellor marks the start of an exciting new chapter for Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Nahla has relocated the academy, previously based on the USS Athena, back to Earth, establishing a modern campus in San Francisco.

Before the USS Athena faced an attack by Nus Braka and the Venari Ral in the first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, Captain Ake’s opening speech clearly referenced Star Trek: Strange New Worlds.

Captain Ake Gives Starfleet Academy Strange New Worlds’ Slogan

The first episode of Star Trek: Starfleet Academy introduces Captain Ake as she takes charge of the USS Athena. Speaking to the crew – a mix of Starfleet officers and cadets – from the bridge, she shares the well-known Latin phrase, “Ad astra per aspera – through struggle, the stars.” This quote is a significant part of the Star Trek: Strange New Worlds series.

In the second episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, titled “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” Lt. Commander Una Chin-Riley (Rebecca Romijn) faced a court-martial for concealing the fact that she is a genetically engineered Illyrian. Throughout the proceedings, Una referenced her personal motto, “Ad astra per aspera,” explaining it as “To the stars, through hardship.”

Starfleet Academy’s motto is the Latin phrase “Ex astris scientia,” meaning “From the stars, knowledge.” This motto is central to the show Star Trek: Starfleet Academy. Interestingly, a recent quote from Captain Ake in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, referencing Number One, nicely connects the themes of both current Star Trek series on Paramount+.

Strange New Worlds’ Number One Is Starfleet Academy’s Poster Girl

Una Chin-Riley, a Lieutenant Commander, is a dedicated Starfleet officer who always hoped Starfleet felt the same way about her. In the recent crossover episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Star Trek: Lower Decks, titled “Those Old Scientists,” she discovered that Starfleet actually does greatly admire her. To her surprise, she learned she’s become the face of Starfleet – literally, as she’s the person featured on their promotional posters.

Ensign Brad Boimler (Jack Quaid) sheepishly confessed that he joined Starfleet because he was a fan of Number One, even having a poster of her in his room. The poster features her famous quote, “Ad Astra Per Aspera,” which has become something of an unofficial motto for the new Star Trek series on Paramount+.

The motto “Ad Astra Per Aspera” – meaning “a rough road leads to the stars” – originated with Starfleet in the 23rd century, as seen in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. It remained their guiding principle for nine centuries, continuing into the 32nd century as depicted in Star Trek: Starfleet Academy.

Directed by Valerie Weiss and written by Dana Horgan, “Ad Astra Per Aspera” is a standout episode of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. It’s also one of the best courtroom dramas in Star Trek history. Its themes strongly connect it to Star Trek: Starfleet Academy and the very best episodes of Strange New Worlds.

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2026-01-20 20:00