The orbital decay of a low!Earth!orbit satellite having constant cross!sectional area in a near!circular orbit can furnish valuable information regarding the dynamical conditions of the atmosphere[ The slope of the orbital decay curve gives the atmospheric density\ whereas the curvature of the decay curve can indicate the expansion\ stability or contraction of the atmosphere[ The state of the atmosphere in 0883 was determined from the orbital decay of the ODERACS I spheres by employing this technique[ The state of the atmosphere in 0884 was determined from the orbital decay of the ODERACS II spheres and reported in this study[ From days 39Γ104\ 0884\ the atmosphere was in a prolonged compression mode[ During this period\ ODERACS II Sphere 2 encountered progressively smaller densities as the density scale height diminished steadily[ This was followed by a period of relatively stable atmosphere[ During a brief period from days 179Γ299\ the atmosphere was in a strong expansion mode\ which was followed by another compression mode until day 259[ The results show great parallels between the atmospheric conditions in 0883 and 0884\ including clear indications of the semi!annual variation[ The atmosphere in 0884 was under greater compression than in 0883\ consistent with the phase of the sunspot cycle[ However\ the rate of atmospheric contraction was greater in 0883 than in 0884 in contrast to predicted models[ The observed 09[6 cm solar ~uxes at Penticton\ British Columbia\ strongly support the _ndings of this study[ Γ 0887 Elsevier Science Ltd[ All rights reserved[