Component of the mitochondrial ribosome (mitoribosome), a dedicated translation machinery responsible for the synthesis of mitochondrial genome-encoded proteins, including at least some of the essential transmembrane subunits of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. The mitoribosomes are attached to the mitochondrial inner membrane and translation products are cotranslationally integrated into the membrane. Component of the mitochondrial small ribosomal subunit (mt-SSU). Mature yeast 74S mitochondrial ribosomes consist of a small (37S) and a large (54S) subunit. The 37S small subunit contains a 15S ribosomal RNA (15S mt-rRNA) and 34 different proteins. The 54S large subunit contains a 21S rRNA (21S mt-rRNA) and 46 different proteins. Mitoribosomes are tethered to the mitochondrial inner membrane and spatially aligned with the membrane insertion machinery through two distinct membrane contact sites, formed by the 21S rRNA expansion segment 96-ES1 and the inner membrane protein MBA1. Present with 16000 molecules/cell in log phase SD medium. Belongs to the mitochondrion-specific ribosomal protein mS44 family.