Visible scattering characteristics of a space satellite are studied based on bidirectional reflectance distribution function(BRDF). A physical model of satellite is established and spectral irradiance in the visible solar spectrum is analyzed. Measuring method of single-wavelength BRDF is extended to average BRDF in visual band. Based on empirical model and experimental values, three dimensional scattering characteristics of the satellite surface material are calculated. Spatial distribution of visible scattering intensity is obtained under the diffuse reflection and non-diffuse reflection. The result offers support for the detection and recognition of spatial objects.