An account of the American upper air research program since its inception in 1946, written by the then current head of the U.S. Navy's New Weapons and Systems Division. "A very well-illustrated report on work in the upper atmosphere with unmanned stratosphere balloons and rockets" (Ley).

Includes index.

1. The upper atmosphere-A frontier of scientific exploration -- 2. The atmospheric ocean -- 3. Upper air research instruments -- 4. Vehicles for upper air research -- 5. Project Skyhook-upper air research by balloon -- 6. The White Sands proving ground -- 7. Principles of rocket flight -- 8. The V-2-Inaugurator of modern high altitude rocketry -- 9. How a V-2 is fired -- 10. The high-flying aerobee -- 11. The Viking-Latest upper air research vehicle.