StratoRotor: Hybrid Control System for Stratospheric Aerostats Using Magnus Effect

This paper presents a conceptual design for a stratospheric aerostat platform (20 km altitude) with hybrid control: passive altitude-based navigation combined with active Magnus-effect rotation for precise station-keeping. The system uses two semi-rigid, blade-shaped gas envelopes connected to a central hub with gas transfer and rotation mechanisms. Calculations demonstrate feasibility of ±500 m position holding at wind speeds up to 30 m/s with power consumption ~400 W. The design is optimized for open-science development and potential collaboration with research institutions.