"The Unicorn: Technology Readiness Levels: Estimate maturity of technology, started at NASA  TRLS explained  TRLS explained  Adapted from Grant Tremblay, Harvard-Smithsonian Center for  Astrophysics  Adapted from NASA  TRL 1: What if there were Unicorns?  TRL 1 – Basic principles observed and reported  TRL 2: We have drawn a Unicorn  TRL 2 – Technology concept and/or application formulated  TRL 3: We put a party hat on a horse in The Sims  TRL 3 - Analytical and experimental critical function and/or characteristic proof-of concept  TRL 4: We have placed a horn on a horse in our lab  TRL 4 - Component and/or breadboard validation in laboratory environment  TRL 5: We took the horse outside  TRL 5 -  breadboard validation in relevant environment  mponent  TRL 6: We're now calling the horse a Unicorn  TRL 6 - System/subsystem model or prototype demonstration in a relevant environment (ground or space)  TRL 7: We're pretty sure the Unicorn might survive if we launch it  into space  TRL 7 - System prototype demonstration in a space environment  TRL 8 - Actual system completed and ""flight qualified"" through test and demonstration (ground or space)  TRL 8: OMG it survived  TRL 9: This Unicorn is literally from space  TRL 9 – Actual system ""flight proven"" through successful mission operations Government agencies today use the 9-step Technology Readiness Level (TRL) classification for R&D software maturity. Originally developed by NASA (shown on the left), the definition of TRLs has been improved by others over the years (as depicted on the right)."
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