Abstract: Lightweight composite shell structures have the advantages of light weight, high strength and designability, and are widely used in aerospace structures. The lightweight composite shell structures include grid shell structures, stiffened shell structures and sandwich shell structures. This article firstly summarizes these lightweight composite shell structures from the preparation method to the characterization of the mechanical properties. The preparation methods include filament winding process, mold hot pressing process and interlocking assembly process, and the mechanical properties include failure modes, dynamics properties and damping characteristics. Further, the multifunction and intelligence of sandwich structure are summarized briefly. Secondly, the application status of lightweight shell structure is introduced, especially in the aerospace field, including rocket adapters, rocket interstage, satellite central cylinder, missile fairings, aircraft cabins and other structures. Finally, the conclusion is given and the future development directions are discussed.