The continuous development of deep space exploration puts forward higher requirements for spacecraft thermal protection technology, and advanced thermal protection materials are important support for the development of thermal protection technology.For the lunar exploration mission and the Mars exploration mission, this paper introduces the research progress in the field of thermal protection materials in China, and prospects the demand of thermal insulation materials in the future deep space exploration missions such as Mars and small celestial bodies exploration and return mission, Mars atmospheric braking mission, and recently detection mission.