Hypersonic vehicle is subjected to severe aerodynamic load and aerodynamic heating during the flight. Thus structural dynamic stability and response caused by aerodynamic force and aerodynamic heating should be fully considered in the design process of structure, and thermal flutter is one of the key parts. This paper reviews the development of thermal flutter research, summarizes various existing methods for thermal flutter research, including thermal modal test, thermal flutter simulated analysis and wind tunnel test. On this basis, the research status and existing problems of ground flutter test, which can be used in the study of thermal flutter, are summarized, and the future development of ground thermal flutter test is prospected.