Node A6 · Acronym decoder
TRL
Technology Readiness Level
What it actually means
The 1-to-9 scale of technology maturity, from basic principles observed to proven in successful mission operations. Coined at NASA and now universal, it's a communication tool, not a guarantee: the scale says nothing about integration difficulty, manufacturability, or whether the demonstration environment really was "relevant" — the word doing the most work in every TRL claim.
Where you'll meet it
Technology assessments, proposals, and S&T transition arguments everywhere.