An Approach to Bridging the Gap Between the Attainment of Research Objectives and System Application

Abstract

The aerospace industry has widely adopted the use of technology readiness levels (TRLs), (NASA) which describe the maturity of a technology from earliest stages of research through the operational system. In using TRLs, it has been observed that bridging the gap between research on a technology and its incorporation by engineers into a system is challenging. Nominally, the transition from TRL 4, defined as a component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment, to TRL 7, defined as a system prototype demonstration in an operational environment, is a programmatic gap known as the “valley of death.” The valley of death is a schism whereby the component that incorporates the new technology fails to meet the eventual system requirements. The goal of this paper is to provide a methodology and “language” that enables the researchers and engineers to communicate more effectively to traverse this gap. The basis for this methodology is the combination of established methods for communicating progress for a program combined with the development and application of domain assessments. Domain readiness levels (DRLs), analogs of the TRLs, are specific to the domains relevant to the system of interest. Specifically, the methodology is intended to enable two-way communication between the domain experts and the systems engineer, with the goal of effective incorporation of a technology. This paper will use an example of the approach to bridge the “valley of death” targeted on the development of a satellite composites optical support structure that must stay in focus across the temperature range of 77-323 degrees Kelvin. In this example, the communication will use two relevant domains, materials and processes, to illustrate the methodology.