Abstract: The polarization characteristics and their changes reflect the status of the targets. In this work，the concept and the feasibility of using the polarization detection to characterize space targets were discussed. Then the performance of a polarimetric device applied for space targets detection was introduced. Meanwhile, the results of polarimetric observation on space targets were given and the characteristic of scaled models which were similar to the actual targets were measured, respectively. By comparing the two results, it is demonstrated that the trends of the both polarization characteristics fit well with each other. Therefore, the validity of the polarimetric observation on space targets is confirmed. The polarization characteristics of space targets is revealed, for example, the degree of polarization will increase from 5% at midnight to 23.8% before dawn. Especially, the attitude of the solar panels plays a vital role in affecting the polarization characteristics of the satellites. It is indicated that the polarimetric observation is an innovative method applied for space targets detection and identification.