Technology Readiness Level

Technology readiness levels (TRL) are a method of estimating technology maturity of Critical Technology Elements (CTE) of a program during the acquisition process. They are determined during a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA) that examines program concepts, technology requirements, and demonstrated technology capabilities. TRL are based on a scale from 1 to 9 with 9 being the most mature technology. The use of TRLs enables consistent, uniform discussions of technical maturity across different types of technology. A comprehensive approach and discussion about TRLs has been published by the European Association of Research and Technology Organisations (EARTO).

Different definitions are used. Although they are conceptually similar, significant differences exist in terms of maturity at a given technology readiness level.

The DoD uses similar definitions for the following specialized areas:

Instruments and spacecraft sub-systems technical maturity with respect to a specific space application are classified according to a "Technology Readiness Level" (TRL) on a scale of 1 to 9. ESA is utilising the ISO standard 16290 Space systems – Definition of the Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs) and their criteria assessment.

The following definition is based on API recommended practice and is used in the oil and gas industry.

The Canadian Innovation and Commercialization Program administered by Public Works and Government Services Canada provides assistance by awarding contracts to entrepreneurs with pre-commercial innovations, provided the innovation has a TRL between 7 and 9.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) references technology readiness levels in some of their documents, and seems to rely on the NASA definitions.

The United States Department of Energy (DOE) uses the following guidelines throughout the department in conducting Technology Readiness Assessments (TRAs) and developing Technology Maturation Plans (TMPs).

Technology Readiness Levels were originally conceived at NASA in 1974 and formally defined in 1989. The original definition included seven levels, but in the 1990s NASA adopted the current nine-level scale that subsequently gained widespread acceptance.

Original NASA TRL Definitions (1989)

The TRL methodology was originated by Stan Sadin at NASA Headquarters in 1974. At that time, Ray Chase was the JPL Propulsion Division representative on the Jupiter Orbiter design team. At the suggestion of Stan Sadin, Mr Chase used this methodology to assess the technology readiness of the proposed JPL Jupiter Orbiter spacecraft design. Later Mr Chase spent a year at NASA Headquarters helping Mr Sadin institutionalize the TRL methodology. Mr Chase joined ANSER in 1978, where he used the TRL methodology to evaluate the technology readiness of proposed Air Force development programs. He published several articles during the 1980s and 90s on reusable launch vehicles utilizing the TRL methodology. These documented an expanded version of the methodology that included design tools, test facilities, and manufacturing readiness on the Air Force Have Not program. The Have Not program manager, Greg Jenkins, and Ray Chase published the expanded version of the TRL methodology, which included design and manufacturing. Leon McKinney and Mr Chase used the expanded version to assess the technology readiness of the ANSER team's Highly Reusable Space Transportation ("HRST") concept. ANSER also created an adapted version of the TRL methodology for proposed Homeland Security Agency programs.

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