Hitchhiker Orbital Inc. (HHO), a space technology firm designing microgravity enclosures, today announced the appointment of Dr. Spencer P. Magleby to its Board of Directors. Dr. Magleby brings over three decades of leadership in mechanical design, compliant mechanisms and deployable space structures.

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Dr. Spencer Magleby (Photo credit: Brigham Young University)

Dr. Magleby is Dean of the Smith College of Engineering and Technology at Utah Valley University (UVU) and Professor Emeritus of Mechanical Engineering at Brigham Young University (BYU), where he served as associate dean of the College of Engineering and director of the Honors Program. He holds more than 40 patents and has some 250 publications. His research spans compliant mechanisms, origami-inspired deployable structures and medical devices.

“We are honored to welcome Spencer to our board,” said David R. Palmer, Founder and Chief Technology Officer of HHO. “Spencer has spent more than three decades turning research in compliant mechanisms and deployable structures into practical designs, including the HanaFlex origami-inspired solar arrays developed by his BYU research group with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and origami artist Robert J. Lang. As a dean and longtime engineering leader, he has built programs and teams, which is the experience HHO needs as we move from design to flight hardware.”

HHO is developing a modular, cost-effective enclosure platform engineered to improve access to microgravity for commercial manufacturing, biological research and materials development. By combining advanced materials with standardized modular components, Hitchhiker Orbital’s platforms are designed to enable reliable, expandable, space-efficient deployments in low Earth orbit.

“Hitchhiker Orbital is taking a fresh, pragmatic approach to microgravity access,” said Dr. Spencer Magleby. “Designing highly functional enclosures for space requires balancing geometric precision, structural efficiency and mechanical reliability. I am thrilled to join the board as an outside director and support HHO as it works to lower the cost of entry for orbital research and manufacturing.”

Dr. Magleby’s appointment is effective as of September 19, 2026.

About Hitchhiker Orbital Inc.

Hitchhiker Orbital Inc. (HHO) is a space technology firm dedicated to improving access to space. By designing multi-purpose, modular enclosures, HHO aims to lower the cost and complexity of bringing manufacturing, life science research and materials development into microgravity environments. Researchers and organizations interested in flying payloads can contact dpalmer@hitchhikerorbital.com.

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"New board director brings experience and expertise to help company move from design to flight hardware."