Abstract: Fast steering mirror(FSM) with benefits of small dimension, high accuracy, high bandwidth, fast response speed is widely used in optoelectronic systems such as laser communication, image stabilized platform, dastronomical telescope. To facilitate FSM reseachers, operating principles of FSM are introduced briefly. Then classifying methods, technical characteristics and performance variation of FSM are introduced from several aspects. After that, several types of FSMs from home and abroad are introduced in terms of technical characteristics, performance indication and applications. Finally, several key technologies of fast mirrors are prospected, it is pointed out that high closed-loop bandwidth, high control precision and digital control are considered as the development trends of FSM.