Space　deployable　structures　are　able　to　be　deployed　from　a　folded　state　to　a　predetermined　or　desired　configuration.　They　are　superior　in　terms　of　spatial　packaging　ratio,　controllability,　and　structural　complexity,　in　order　to　solve　the　space　limitations　for　aerospace　vehicles.　Therefore,　they　have　been　applied　in　structural　designs　and　concepts　for　various　aerospace　missions,　including　space　support　booms,　space　deployable　antennas,　solar　panels,　as　well　as　flexible　solar　sails.　Recent　development　of　advanced　manufacturing　technologies　and　applications　of　novel　smart　materials　and　structures,　brings　new　degree　of　design　freedom　to　space　deployable　mechanics,　inspiring　novel　space　deployable　mechanisms,　especially　for　smart　driving　and　control　strategies.　Here,　we　present　a　review　on　development　of　mechanics　and　smart　driving　of　space　deployable　structures.　Advantages　and　limitations　for　various　deployable　mechanisms　are　also　presented　to　reveal　further　insights.　The　trends　and　future　deployable　mechanics　are　directed　by　further　advancements　in　terms　of　modularisation,　intelligences,　and　deployment　precision.　Multi-disciplinary　cross-integrations　are　leading　the　way　for　future　breakthroughs　in　novel　deployable　mechanics　and　intelligent　driving　control　for　space　explorations.　©　2023　The　Author(s)