Abstract: Rydberg atom microwave detection is a new microwave detection technology that has emerged in recent years. Compared with the traditional dipole antenna microwave receiving technology, it has outstanding advantages such as high detection sensitivity, wide spectrum coverage, and front-end miniaturization. It has aroused widespread interest in related fields such as wireless communications, radar detection, and spectrum sensing. It is currently transitioning from laboratory research to engineering application research. This paper summarizes and analyzes the recent progress of Rydberg atom microwave detection technology and looks forward to its subsequent development and future aerospace applications. Firstly, the basic principle of Rydberg atomic microwave detection technology is briefly introduced; secondly, the research progress of Rydberg atomic microwave detection technology at home and abroad is reviewed from four aspects: improving sensitivity, extending frequency range, enriching detection parameters, and practical communication, and its characteristics and advantages over traditional receivers are demonstrated; thirdly, by summarizing the research project layout of Rydberg atomic microwave detection technology, the development difficulty of different technical characteristics is analyzed, and it is pointed out that the characteristics of ultra-wide spectrum coverage and miniaturized front end are easier to develop in the short and medium term, while the more disruptive extreme sensitivity characteristics are more suitable as long-term goals; finally, from the perspective of aerospace applications, the application prospects of Rydbergatomic microwave detection technology in earth remote sensing, electromagnetic spectrum situational awareness and Anti-interference communication are prospected, and the different technical difficulties existing in various applications are discussed respectively.

Key words: Rydberg atom, microwave detection, receiver, atomic gas chamber, wireless communication, radar, spectrum sensing