Infrared detector technology made great progress in the 20th century and its application in the field of space remote sensing is becoming wider and wider. Since there are many different types of radiation in the outer space, it is necessary to study the irradiation effects of infrared detectors. This paper presents the knowledge of space radiation environment including cosmic rays, Van Allen radiation belts, solar particle events and secondary particles in atmosphere and spacecraft, and then summarizes the current study of the irradiation effects of infrared devices.