Review and comparison of empirical thermospheric mass density models

摘要: Abstract Atmospheric drag, as one of the largest non-gravitational perturbations in low Earth orbit (LEO), can dramatically decay LEO satellites with both secular and periodic effects. Hence, it plays a critical role prediction related products, research on determination, orbital uncertainty propagation collision avoidance. Although many empirical thermospheric mass density (TMD) models have been proposed past few decades, precise determination atmospheric drag is still challenging task. In order to give comprehensive review current TMD models, focusing their impact dynamics, this summarises investigates most representative classes including Jacchia, Mass Spectrometer Incoherent Scatter (MSIS), Jacchia-Bowman (JB), Drag Temperature Model (DTM). Twelve are selected for further comparison terms spatial variations assessing ability capture complex features, e.g., equatorial anomaly (EMA). Further validation done accelerometer-derived from satellites. The results show that only DTM2013 EMA feature coefficient calculated by physical used estimation may be underestimated. performance these comprehensively evaluated under different solar geomagnetic conditions. JB2008 outperform other during high activity. Standard deviation found less affected bias accelerometer- model-derived TMD, than mean value root-mean-square error. coupling effect between ballistic coefficient, potential directions future efforts modelling also discussed.