Abstract: This paper reviews the studies of space heavy ion irradiation effects on organisms, semiconductors, optical materials, metals, and polymers. The model of heavy ion space environment, the heavy ion irradiation effects and material performance evolution are important research issues. It is shown that the relative number of heavy ions in the space environment is small, but the radiation damage effects on organisms, semiconductors, optical materials, metals and polymers can not be ignored for the high ionization and penetration capacity of heavy ions, which would cause the signal malfunction of satellite, the fault of optics, the performance and morphology changes of metals and polymers, even would threaten the life safety of astronauts.