The Accuracy of Atmospheric Models in Solar Maximum Years Checked with the Data of CHAMP Accelerometer

A method of processing the data obtained with the CHAMP satelliteborne accelerometer is introduced. Through an analysis of the data the fault in the x-axis of the instrument is verified. We examined the accuracy of the atmospheric models in solar maximum years with the accelerometer data obtained from 2001 to 2002 and the inversion of the atmospheric density from the tangential non-gravitational acceleration. Then from a statistical analysis of the errors of the models, DTM94 and MSIS90, we obtained the following quantitative conclusions. During the solar maximum years the error of DTM94 is 30% to 35%, and that of MSIS90 is smaller at 25% to 30%. The greatest difference between the two models is about 10%.