Abstract: The thin-walled shell of long-range missile and satellite is a complex structure of special-shaped non-circular sheet metal welded thin-walled shell. Its structural integrity is directly related to the operation safety of spacecraft. The identification and characterization of defects about large thin-walled aluminum alloy weld is an important problem in the safety evaluation of shell manufacturing and remanufacturing process. Based on above, this paper systematically analyzes the characteristics of aluminum alloy weld defects, and summarizes the non-destructive evaluation methods for aluminum alloy weld at home and abroad. The research status of ultrasonic detection is reviewed in detail, in which accurate characterization and visual reconstruction of thin-walled aluminum alloy defects are the breakthrough points in current research. At the same time, the rule of infrared thermal imaging detection, magnetic detection and radiographic testing is summarized. Through the application of various on-line monitoring technologies, the collaborative improvement of safe and reliable service and accurate characterization of structures can be achieved. Finally, the problems need to be solved by nondestructive evaluation in weld defect detection of large thin-walled aluminum alloy are summarized.