Validation of space-based measurements of the atmosphere can be performed by means of long-term data sets from ground stations of the Network for the Detection of Atmospheric Composition Change NDACC (formerly NDSC). We derive the difference profiles of the satellite experiments ENVISAT/MIPAS, Aura/MLS, ACE/FTS, Meteor-3M/SAGE III, and UARS/HALOE with respect to the ground-based microwave radiometers SOMORA and MIAWARA monitoring the volume mixing ratios of ozone and water vapor in the middle atmosphere over Payerne and Bern in Switzerland. The long-term stability of the ground stations allows a cross-validation of space-based measurements from different satellites, years, and solar zenith angles. A good agreement (relative difference < 10%) has been achieved between ENVISAT/MIPAS, Aura/MLS, and SOMORA (all measuring the thermal emission of ozone). The solar occultation experiments SAGE III and ACE/FTS provide ozone values which are 30% higher compared to SOMORA at altitudes 45-60 km. In case of water vapor, a good agreement (< 10%) is found between the satellite experiments ENVISAT/MIPAS, Aura/MLS, ACE/FTS, and HALOE, while the ground station MIAWARA yields water vapor mixing ratios which are 10 -20% smaller at stratospheric heights.