How do NASA and the EU both use TRLs?
The table below shows how NASA and the European Union translate TRLs:
TRL |
Current NASA usage |
European Union |
1 |
Basic principles observed and reported |
Basic principles observed |
2 |
Technology concept and/or application formulated |
Technology concept formulated |
3 |
Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof of concept |
Experimental proof of concept |
4 |
Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment |
Technology validated in lab |
5 |
Component and/or breadboard validation in relevant environment |
Technology validated in relevant environment (industry-relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies) |
6 |
System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment (ground or space) |
Technology demonstrated in relevant environment (industry-relevant environment in the case of key enabling technologies) |
7 |
System prototype demonstration in a space environment |
System prototype demonstration in operational environment |
8 |
Actual system completed and "flight qualified" through test and demonstration (ground or space) |
System complete and qualified |
9 |
Actual system "flight proven" through successful mission operations |
Actual system proven in operational environment (competitive manufacturing in the case of key enabling technologies, or in space) |