The precision of satellite optical load calibration must be enhanced to boost the quantitative application of the satellite. Currently calibration on earth is the most used method. In order to reduce the error caused by the environment between earth and space, the simulation of the real on-orbit environment is needed to carry out the calibration test. In view of the rapid development of vacuum calibration technology of satellite optical load, the development status at home and abroad in detail is described, and the concept and class of vacuum calibration are illuminated. In addition, according to the application of vacuum calibration technology, the system components and technical difficulties of vacuum spectral calibration and radiation calibration are analyzed. At last, expectation and suggestions for the development of vacuum calibration technology are presented.