As a new type of propellant-free spacecraft，solar sail has broad application prospects in deep space exploration.In addition，thanks to the action of constant solar radiation pressure，solar sail can operate in orbits that are difficult to achieve with traditional spacecraft，thereby realizing some unique uses.In this paper，based on the brief introduction of the working principles and application prospects for solar sail，the essential characteristics，advantages，and disadvantages of the classical attitude control methods for solar sail are analyzed in detail.The research status of solar sail attitude control methods at home and abroad is investigated，the limitations of the classical attitude control methods on the attitude control of large scale solar sail are analyzed，and the feasibility and advantages of utilizing solar sail deformation to achieve attitude control torque is studied.Finally，some suggestions for the research and development of solar sail attitude control are put forward.