The atomization of a cryogenic nitrogen jet has been investigated under thermodynamic conditions typical for high-pressure LOX/GH2 rocket combustors. At these cryogenic high-pressure conditions the injected fluid is near its critical point. Jet spreading angles and the variation of the centerline density downstream of the injector have been determined from density profiles obtained from spontaneous Raman measurements. The results are compared with experiments and models describing the limiting cases of gas jet atomization and the disintegration of liquid sprays.