Joe Barnard
Joe Barnard is an American entrepreneur, amateur rocketry developer, and founder of Barnard Propulsion Systems, best known for his YouTube channels BPS.space, BPS.shorts, and Joe Barnard.
BPS.space
Barnard created the BPS.space project in 2015 to build model rockets after viewing a SpaceX online broadcast.Vertical takeoff and landing
Over seven years, he iteratively developed his Scout rocket design and ultimately built a model rocket capable of vertical takeoff and landing. This required developing thrust vector control, throttle control of the solid rocket motor, and a flight control computer and software.Other rocketry projects
Barnard has pursued several other rocketry-related projects, including building multistage rockets, flight control computers, rocket motors, and image stabilization hardware.BPS.space has also served as a business venture for Barnard, where he sells Arduino-based flight control computers for model rockets.
Personal life
Barnard completed is undergraduate degree in Audio Engineering from Berklee College of Music in 2014, and worked as a wedding photographer before working full time at BPS.space. BPS.space became Barnard's full-time job, funded through a combination of merchandse and control board sales, Patreon sponsorship, and YouTube advertising and ad revenue.He previously lived in Nashville, Tennessee before moving to the Los Angeles area of California in 2021.
Barnard had no background in rocketry before starting, and is entirely self-taught; though his father worked on missile guidance, navigation, and control systems.
In 2021 and 2022, Barnard, Xyla Foxlin, and others launched a rocket-powered Christmas tree at Friends of Amateur Rocketry.