Motorcar Parts of America’s D&V Electronics Selected for NASA Mission to Saturn’s Moon Titan

Rhea-AI Summary

Motorcar Parts of America (MPAA) announced that its subsidiary, D&V Electronics, will provide a power hardware-in-the-loop inverter test system for NASA’s Dragonfly mission, which plans to explore Saturn’s moon Titan. The Dragonfly mission, part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program, aims to study Titan's environment by obtaining material samples. This partnership with NASA highlights D&V's capabilities in electric vehicle testing and its collaboration with Opal-RT and NI. The Dragonfly mission is scheduled for launch in 2027.

Positive

• D&V Electronics selected for NASA's Dragonfly mission, enhancing its reputation in electric vehicle testing.
• Collaboration with Opal-RT and NI strengthens D&V's technological partnerships in aerospace and automotive sectors.
• Potential for future projects arising from the ongoing relationship with NASA.

Negative

• None.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. (Nasdaq:MPAA) today announced its electric vehicle testing company D&V Electronics was selected to provide a power hardware-in-the-loop inverter test system to support the development of the rotor motor controllers for NASA’s Dragonfly mission. Terms were not disclosed.

Part of NASA’s New Frontiers Program, the Dragonfly mission consists of a large rotorcraft-lander that will explore Saturn’s moon Titan. Dragonfly will explore Titan’s environment, obtaining material samples to investigate prebiotic chemistry processes. Titan is the largest moon of Saturn, with similar characteristics to Earth’s environment – including sand dunes and an Earth-like hydrological cycle of methane clouds, rain, and liquid flowing across the surface.

The Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland, manages the Dragonfly mission for NASA and is designing and building the Dragonfly rotorcraft-lander.

“We are honored that the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory has selected D&V Electronics to be part of such an historic, technically challenging space exploration program,” said Selwyn Joffe, chairman, president and chief executive officer.

The power hardware-in-the-loop system is a combination of D&V’s innovative electric motor emulator and Opal-RT’s advanced motor models utilizing NI’s (Nasdaq: NATI) real-time system. The combined technologies will validate the performance of the rotor motor controllers for the Dragonfly rotorcraft-lander.

“This project advances our ongoing joint development program relationship with Opal-RT and NI for power hardware-in-the-loop systems focused on the aerospace, automotive and marine markets, and we look forward to other exciting opportunities,” said Bill Hardy, chief executive officer of D&V Electronics.

Dragonfly is scheduled to launch in 2027 and reach Titan by 2034. For more information on the Dragonfly mission, please visit: dragonfly.jhuapl.edu

ABOUT D&V ELECTRONICS

Founded in 1997 and acquired by Motorcar Parts of America in 2017, the electrical vehicle testing subsidiary, with customers in more than 80 countries, designs and manufactures testing solutions for performance, endurance, and production of multiple components in the electric power train – providing simulation, emulation, and production applications for the electrification of both automotive and aerospace industries, including electric vehicle charging systems. Additional information is available at www.dvelectronics.com.

ABOUT MOTORCAR PARTS OF AMERICA

Motorcar Parts of America, Inc. is a remanufacturer, manufacturer, and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts -- including alternators, starters, wheel bearings and hub assemblies, brake calipers, brake master cylinders, brake power boosters, turbochargers, and diagnostic testing equipment utilized in imported and domestic passenger vehicles, light trucks, and heavy-duty applications. Its products are sold to automotive retail outlets and the professional repair market throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with facilities located in California, New York, Mexico, Malaysia, China and India, and administrative offices located in California, Tennessee, Mexico, Singapore, Malaysia, and Canada. Additional information is available at www.motorcarparts.com.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a “safe harbor” for certain forward-looking statements. The statements contained in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements based on the company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on the company. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties (some of which are beyond the control of the company) and are subject to change based upon various factors. Reference is also made to the Risk Factors set forth in the company’s Form 10-K Annual Report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in June 2021 and in its Forms 10-Q filed with the SEC for additional risks and uncertainties facing the company. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as the result of new information, future events or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211109005800/en/

Gary S. Maier

(310) 972-5124

Source: Motorcar Parts of America, Inc.

FAQ

What is the significance of D&V Electronics' selection by NASA for the Dragonfly mission?

D&V Electronics will provide critical testing systems for rotor motor controllers, enhancing its profile in the electric vehicle and aerospace industries.

When is the Dragonfly mission scheduled to launch?

The Dragonfly mission is set to launch in 2027 and is expected to reach Titan by 2034.

What technologies will D&V Electronics use for the Dragonfly mission?

D&V will utilize a power hardware-in-the-loop test system combining its electric motor emulator with advanced motor models from Opal-RT and NI.

How does the Dragonfly mission relate to the electric vehicle industry?

The Dragonfly mission demonstrates the application of electric vehicle testing technologies in aerospace, showcasing D&V Electronics' capabilities.

What is Motorcar Parts of America's role in the automotive aftermarket?

Motorcar Parts of America is a remanufacturer and distributor of automotive aftermarket parts, including various components for vehicles.