Abstract: Heat transfer of honeycomb sandwich panels used in aerospace industry is a main characteristic.Its research history and recent development are introduced systemically.The methods of heat transfer research include the Swann-Pittman semi-empirical relationship and its improved approach,FVM,thermal resistance analysis,improved thermal lamination theory,FEM,heat flow analysis and thermal experiment.The problems related to their precision in calculation and applications are also discussed.Finally,it is recommended that the progress trends of heat transfer of honeycomb sandwich panels will be focused on calculating the transient thermal performance,the 3-D anisotropy and several variables thermal experiment.