Chemiluminescent nightglow emission of the nitric oxide delta and gamma bands was measured from a sounding rocket launched on April 27, 1981, near local midnight. The integrated band emission rates for this near zenith observation above 205 km were less than 10 Rayleighs. The solar zenith angle was 127. The branching ratio from the C2&Pgr; state to the A2&Sgr;+ state of NO was determined from comparison of the total emission rate of the delta band system to that of the gamma band system and found to be 0.30¿0.06. The branching ratios within each of the band systems were found to be consistent with previous theoretical and experimental determinations. The vertical atomic nitrogen distribution, derived with the use of a model atmosphere, was found to have a peak density of 2.0¿107 atoms cm-3 at an altitude of 205 km. The analysis of these data indicate the presence of residual NO emission above 270 km at local midnight on the order of 1 Rayleigh of total band emission.