Assessment of technology readiness
Technology Readiness: the foundation for mission success
Technology provides the fundamental building blocks for all space missions. Furthermore, mission success or failure is intrinsically linked to the suitability of the technologies for the intended application: that is, their 'technology readiness'.
Technology Readiness Level is a measure of the maturity of a technology and provides a means for understanding associated development risks and costs when considering a technology for a mission. Delays and associated cost increases during the implementation phase can often be linked back to inadequate readiness.
The timely and thorough preparation of critical technologies is therefore a key success factor for space missions, particularly for the technically and scientifically challenging L-class missions of ESA's science programme.
Technology preparation starts with an independent and comprehensive assessment of the current status and readiness level of a required technology through a Technology Readiness Assessment (TRA). The outcome of the TRA not only contributes to the overall feasibility assessment of a planned mission but also to the definition of the technology roadmap, development plan, and associated technology development activities.
Further information about Technology Readiness is available at the European Cooperation for Space Standardization (ECSS) website – document ECSS-E-HB-11A (registration is required).