Neutral composition of the atmosphere in the 100- to 200-kilometer range

The neutral composition of the atmosphere in the altitude range 100–200 km has been studied with a simple magnetic mass spectrometer flown on an Aerobee rocket. The variations of N2, O2, and O concentration with altitude were found from the mass spectrums obtained and the laboratory calibration of the instrument. The O/O2 ratio increased with altitude, reaching a value above 15 at the peak of the flight, 209 km. The O2/N2 ratio decreased with altitude. Mean molecular weights and mass densities were computed as functions of altitude from the particle number density data.