The applications, configure and technique developments of three main atmospheric environment observation targets(cloud-aerosol, wind field, and atmospheric molecule) were analyzed, and the characteristics and development trend of space-borne atmospheric environment observation lidar were summarized, based on the study of detection principle, technical system, system configure, application state, application scope and constraint condition, etc. Space-borne atmospheric environment observation lidar payloads should be designed according to scientific mission, application requirements and technical characteristics, using the advantages of space-borne lidar, and on the basis, the development trend and research focus of space-borne atmospheric environment observation technology and application were prospected.