Technology Readiness Levels and the ESA TRL Calculator

This course introduces participants to the concept of Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for the space segment: what TRL is, why it was created, its benefits and how it fits in the project life-cycle including procurement and ITT preparation. Emphasis will be given to Technology Development Activities and New Space programmes.

Links with the ECSS framework for ESA projects are explained, encompassing management, engineering, quality assurance and space sustainability. The connection between New Space projects and TRL is defined. In addition, a suggested Document Requirement List for each TRL is provided, to be used for preparations for Invitation to Tender or Contract Closure Documentation.

Finally, a practical session will be given, on how to perform a TRL Assessment with a real use case (a Synthetic Aperture Radar instrument), relying on the ESA TRL Calculator, to address both HW and SW.

At the end of the training, participants will:

• be aware of and understand the concept of Technology Readiness Levels and what it entails for a Project in terms of cost and complexity;
• be aware of links with the ECSS framework;
• be acquainted with and able to use the new ESA TRL calculator tool.

Lorenzo Marchetti, ESA TEC-QPM

Ricardo Pinto, ESA TEC-EFP

Cora Janse, ESA TEC-QPS

In case you have registered but cannot attend the session, please click on “Leave course” on the right-hand side of the course page to inform the organisers.

This session might be recorded.