“Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) are a type of measurement system used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology. Each technology project is evaluated against the parameters for each technology level and is then assigned a TRL rating based on the projects progress. There are nine technology readiness levels. TRL 1 is the lowest and TRL 9 is the highest.

  1. Basic principles observed and reported
  2. Technology concept and/or application formulated
  3. Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of concept
  4. Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment
  5. Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment
  6. System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment (ground or space)
  7. System prototype demonstration in a space environment
  8. Actual system completed and ‘flight qualified’ through test and demonstration (ground or space)
  9. Actual system ‘flight proven’ through successful mission operations”