Technology Readiness Level

The Technology Readiness Level (TRL ), to German about technology maturity, shall indicate on a scale of 1 to 9, how far developed a technology is.

TRL in space

NASA introduced, the ESA used the classification, in order to assess the usability of the space elements.

The description of the steps (in brackets time to market ):

  • TRL 1: observation and description of the functional principle (8-15 years)
  • TRL 2: Description of the application of a technology
  • TRL 3: to demonstrate the functionality of a technology ( 5-13 years)
  • TRL 4: Experimental setup in the laboratory
  • TRL 5: Experimental setup in operational environment
  • TRL 6: Prototype in operational environment
  • TRL 7: Prototype in use (1-5 years )
  • TRL 8: Qualified system to demonstrate the functionality in the application area
  • TRL 9: Qualified System with proof of successful use

More general use of TRL

Derived from the Space TRL definitions now also by United States Department of Defense, Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA), the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program and and software (Software Technology Readiness Levels) are used. Currently, an ISO standard is being developed for international definition of the TRL level and vss with the cooperation of European and international space agencies and industry and the DoD. The end of 2013 published (ISO 16290 "Space systems - Definition of the Technology Readiness Level ( TRL) and Their criteria of assessment" ).

European Space Agency
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