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FOREWORDToo frequently we look on a particular space mission as an event unto itself, one which should lead to great discoveries and revelations of understanding. Too frequently the actual results from a mission meld into the geographically distributed annals of esoteric scientific literature. Too frequently we do not tie off our missions with a summary of lessons learned or how they so tediously really came about, or of the human interactions.Into the Thermosphere goes far in rectifying those deficiencies. First, we are taken back over 300 years and thence trace the evolution of our discoveries and understanding of the atmosphere, marching along with the scientists and their technology of the day. Indeed, one feels the increased pace of discovery as the world of technology takes off in the early 20th century, pausing occasionally as in the early 1960's and then again expands rapidly with the advent of the satellite.Step-by-step we see the scientist's involvement go from that of an individual to that of a team participant, instruments evolve from simple to complex, data analysis grows from a reading of a strip chart to interaction with large computers. We see how the bits of data integrate over the years into a scientific comprehension. The Atmospheric Explorers are shown in their relationship to other contemporary missions, particularly Dynamics Explorer and the International Sun-Earth Explorers.The direct output of our spacecraft and instruments is data. Into the Thermosphere leads you through the essential, frequently tedious steps of the entire data acquisition and handling processnecessary but hardly sufficient. I believe the greatest contribution of Into the Thermosphere is its lucid explanation of the scientific results, always noting why a certain measurement was made and then tying the diverse experiments together into a coherent model of the thermosphere. One sees, feels, and almost hears the transformation of data into that ultimate product of space explorationknowledge.