Remote sensing of aerosols from satellites is the most convenient tool for providing global information on spatial and temporal distributions of atmospheric aerosols. Current satellite sensors have begun quotidian providing quantitative distributions of aerosol optical thickness. Progresses and research findings on satellite retrievals of aerosol optical properties are introduced in this paper with the emphasis on four aspects:(1) Aerosol passive sensors onboard different platforms of polar-and geostationary-satellites; (2) aerosol retrieval methods of satellite passive sensors; (3) aerosol retrievals from space-borne lidar; (4) the next-generation satellite passive and active sensors focusing on aerosol retrieval. In addition, the applications of satellite aerosol products in climate and environment studies are also reviewed in the paper.