Joe Barnard
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Joe Barnard is an American entrepreneur, amateur rocketry developer, and founder of Barnard Propulsion Systems (or BPS),[1] best known for his YouTube channels BPS.space, BPS.shorts, and Joe Barnard.
Joe Barnard | |
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| Born | Joe Barnard |
| Education | Berklee College of Music (B.A.) |
| Years active | 2015–present |
| YouTube information | |
| Channels | |
| Genre | Engineering |
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| Views |
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| Last updated: January 9, 2026 | |
| Website | bps |
BPS.space
Barnard created the BPS.space project in 2015 to build model rockets after viewing a SpaceX online broadcast.[1]
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.[2][3] This required developing thrust vector control, throttle control of the solid rocket motor, and a flight control computer and software.[4]
Other rocketry projects
Barnard has pursued several other rocketry-related projects, including building multistage rockets,[5] flight control computers, rocket motors,[6] and image stabilization hardware.[7]
BPS.space has also served as a business venture for Barnard, where he sells Arduino-based flight control computers for model rockets.[8]
Personal life
Barnard completed is undergraduate degree in Audio Engineering from Berklee College of Music in 2014,[9] and worked as a wedding photographer before working full time at BPS.space.[8] 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.[10]
He previously lived in Nashville, Tennessee[11][12] before moving to the Los Angeles area of California in 2021.[13][14][independent source needed]
Barnard had no background in rocketry before starting, and is entirely self-taught;[9] though his father worked on missile guidance, navigation, and control systems.[15]
In 2021 and 2022, Barnard, Xyla Foxlin, and others launched a rocket-powered Christmas tree at Friends of Amateur Rocketry.[16][17][18][19]