The space environment in which the spacecraft located in orbit is complex and changeable. Environmental factors such as high-energy electrons, plasma environment, low pressure, large temperature difference and so on can cause electrostatic charge-discharge effects on the spacecrafts, which seriously affects the safety of the spacecraft. Based on the experimental data and cases at home and abroad, this paper analyzes the spacecraft faults caused by the space environment, introduces the research progress of the effect on spacecraft electrostatic charging-discharging in the space environment from the aspects of numerical simulation software, ground analogy technology, strong electromagnetic field induced discharging and protection technology. It finally presents prospects of the research gap and future research direction in China. The research indicates that progress has been made in the research of spacecraft charge-discharge effect protection technology in China. The next step is to focus on new tasks such as space station, deep space exploration and lunar exploration, and further expand the research on the mechanism of spacecraft charge-discharge effect and new protection technologies under space environment, so as to provide technical support for improving the safety and reliability of spacecraft in China.