Abstract: The modular space deployable and foldable mechanism has the characteristics of flexible expansion, good versatility and strong adaptability, which can meet the needs of large and ultralarge space deployable and foldable mechanism for major aerospace projects in China, such as long-distance deep space exploration, long-term in-orbit space station construction and ultra wide area satellite communication, and it is a new key aerospace equipment. According to the application requirements, the research progress of space modular deployable and foldable mechanism was described. The typical modular configurations of three types of deployable and foldable mechanism, such as deployable mast, solar array and space deployable antenna, were mainly introduced. The structure composition, deployment principle, driving mode and application status of modular space deployable and foldable mechanism were analyzed. The future development direction of space modular deployable and foldable mechanism was prospected from four aspects: mechanism innovative design method, ground microgravity test and simulation, space inorbit assembly technology and space inorbit construction technology. The review provides a reference for the research and application of large space deployable and foldable mechanism in China.

Key words: space deployable and foldable mechanism, modular structure, deployable mast, solar array, space deployable antenna