With the ever-increasing space activities and the rapid increase in the number of space debris, it is especially important to catalog and identify unknown space debris. Because rocket bodies, artificial satellites and their fragments are exposed in space, their surface materials’ physical and chemical properties will undergo major changes. At present, the research on the surface materials of space targets is mainly concentrated in ground laboratories, and it is impossible to judge the state changes in deep space accurately. Using a large field of view space target photoelectric telescope and spectrum test terminal. The spectral characteristics of space targets can be studied in real-time, and the influence of material characteristics changes on target characteristics recognition can be further explored. In this study, by using the Changchun Observatory of National Astronomical Observators’s 1.2 m space target photoelectric telescope and related spectrum test terminal, combined with image preprocessing software to obtain the hyperspectral image of the space target, and using the astronomical method IRAF to extract the spectral one-dimensional data, obtain analyze data. Partial least squares method is used to inversely analyze the area ratio and confidence of surface materials. In the experiment, the spectral data of 6 space targets were inverted separately. The inversion results of 6 commonly used aviation materials showed that all targets could resolve at least 2 materials. The common inversion showed a golden insulation film, which is a certain surface of the space target. One of the materials contained has a higher surface area ratio, and the results were approximately at 0.75, 0.78, 0.78, 0.59, 0.71, 0.45. Mainly, 4 targets appeared carbon fiber board. The results was approximately at 0.19, 0.22, 0.07, 0.24; 3 targets appeared gallium arsenide, the results were approximately at 0.07, 0.15, 0.17; 2 targets appeared Si, the result were approximately at 0.29, 0.55. And the confidence levels are approximately at 84.7%, 80.4%, 84.1%, 82.8%, 82.6%, 79.6%. The experimental results show that the observation method is reliable, and the research results in the field of space target observation technology, data acquisition, research analysis, etc. have a reference role for subsequent in-depth exploration. The experimental results and the source of the space target are highly self-consistent, the research method is simple and feasible, and the compatibility with traditional optical observations is good. This method expands the research field of precision tracking space target observation. It has the scientific significance of analyzing the space environment where the target is located, and has the application prospect of the safe operation of space targets.