Abstract: The low power electric propulsion is becoming a powerful competitor compared to the traditional propulsion for small satellites.A summary of the development and its application on small satellite of low power electric propulsion were presented，including both electric propulsion types of the ion，the Hall，the PPT，the FEEP，and nations of the American，the Russian，the European and the Japan.These requirements，necessary and feasibility of electric propulsion applicable to small satellite were analyzed according with main missions of orbital transferring，drag compensating，station keeping，attitude controlling，and formation flying.Some advice about low power electric propulsion development and its application to small satellite were advanced within three power levels of 10 W，100 W，500 W，respectively.