The Kansas state motto "Ad Astra per Aspera" meaning "To the stars through difficulty" was proposed in 1859 by John James Ingalls and adopted. In 2001, Steve Durst proposed creating the Ad Astra Kansas Initiative to promote the motto through supporting space technology research and recognizing cutting edge work in Kansas. In 2011, the initiative formally established itself as the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation nonprofit with a board of directors and bylaws to further its goals of advancing space research and education.

2. Advancing the Kansas State
Motto for the benefit of Kansas,
America and the World.

4.  It all started with the Kansas
State Motto

5.  It all started with the Kansas
State Motto
 Ad Astra per Aspera

6.  It all started with the Kansas
State Motto
 Ad Astra per Aspera
 To the stars through difficulty

7. Believe it or not the state motto—and, in a way,
the Ad Astra Kansas Foundation—began 150
years ago when a young lawyer from
Massachusetts saw an ad promoting Kansas, so
he moved here.
His name was John James Ingalls

8. • Ingalls was born in
1833 in Middleton,
Mass.

9. • John James Ingalls,
born 1833 in
Middleton, Mass.
• He moved to Kansas
in 1859

10. • John James Ingalls,
born 1833 in
Middleton, Mass.
• Moved to Kansas in
1859
• Was part of the
1859 Wyandotte
Constitutional
Convention

11. • John James Ingalls,
born 1833 in
Middleton, Mass.
• Moved to Kansas in
1859
• Was a member of
the 1859 Wyandotte
Constitutional
Convention
• He also had an idea
for a state seal…

12.  A single star rising from the clouds at the base
of a field,

13.  A single star rising from the clouds at the base
of a field,
 The constellation (representing the number of
states then in the Union) above

14.  A single star rising from the clouds at the base
of a field,
 The constellation (representing the number of
states then in the Union) above
 The motto, "Ad Astra per Aspera."

17.  In 2001 Steve proposed the creation of an
initiative supporting interstellar R&D… the Ad
Astra Kansas Initiative.

18.  In 2001 Steve proposed the creation of an
initiative supporting interstellar R&D… the Ad
Astra Kansas Initiative.
 From the beginning, the initiative had the goal
of:
 Promoting the state motto to its full 21st century
potential

19.  In 2001 Steve proposed the creation of an
initiative supporting interstellar R&D. It would
be the Ad Astra Kansas Initiative.
 From the beginning, the initiative had the goals
of:
 Promoting the state motto to its full 21st century
potential
 Serving as a hub featuring space-tech research,
development and commercialization projects in
Kansas for networking and educational purposes.

20.  In 2001 Steve proposed the creation of an
initiative supporting interstellar R&D. It would
be the Ad Astra Kansas Initiative.
 From the beginning, the initiative had the goals
of:
 Promoting the state motto to its full 21st century
potential
 Serving as a hub featuring space-tech research,
development and commercialization projects in
Kansas for networking and educational purposes.
 Recognizing cutting edge research being done in
Kansas.

31.  November 4-5, 2011in Topeka

32.  November 4-5, 2011in Topeka
 Organize a board of directors

33.  November 4-5, 2011in Topeka
 Organize a board of directors
 Build a consensus about the initiative's future

34.  November 4-5, 2011in Topeka
 Organize a board of directors
 Build a consensus about the initiative's future
 Begin the development of bylaws and
resolutions

35.  November 4-5, 2011in Topeka
 Organize a board of directors
 Build a consensus about the initiative's future
 Begin the development of bylaws and
resolutions
 Establish Ad Astra Kansas as a 501(c)3
corporation

36.  Thomas Armstrong, - president
 Ken Moum, Topeka – vice president
 Vicki Johnson - secretary
 Jeanette Steinert - treasurer
 Steve Durst
 Margaret Hennessey-Springe
 Elias Jordan
 Kay Neill
 Mark Smith
 Kansas Commission on Aerospace Education,
represented by Ed Young