Abstract:The space inflatable structure mainly made of membranematerials is a new type of structure. It can be used as large antenna, solarconcentrator, solar sail and other space structures and offers an effectiveapproach for large space structures. Dynamic characteristics areessential problems in design process of inflatable structures, while dynamic analysisand test are always the key problems in the research of inflatablestructures. Because of special features of inflatable structures inmaterials, structural style and working environments, there are many newproblems in dynamic analysis and test. The dynamicanalysis of space inflatable structures at present includes experimental research and numerical simulation.In the experimental research, contact testing mediums are being replacedby contactless methods to obtain the characteristics of the inflatable membrane structures, butit faces serious problems in conditions of vacuum andmicro-gravity. The numerical methods can effectively simulatethe dynamic behaviours of structures in conditions of vacuum and micro-gravityand analyse the coupling effects of gravity, air and winkles on the structural vibration characteristics. This paperreviews the development and the present state of experimental and numericalresearches on vibration analysis of space inflatable structure anddiscusses the existing problems, and gives the trend of development.