The invention discloses a high-performance material optimal selection method suitable for a space debris protection structure. The method comprises the following steps: a, selecting a protective material, and looking up a table to obtain the Hugoniot and thermodynamic parameters of the material; and b, screening the protective material according to an impact pressure criterion, an internal energyconversion criterion, a minimum thickness criterion and a kinetic energy absorption criterion to obtain a preferred material. In the present invention, the protection mechanism of the protective material under the ultrahigh-speed impact effect is deeply analyzed; the mechanical and thermodynamic characteristics of the protective material are comprehensively considered; the impact pressure, the internal energy conversion, the minimum thickness and the kinetic energy absorption characteristic of the protective material are used as optimal criteria; in combination with a performance coefficient model capable of quantitatively characterizing wave impedance characteristics and thermodynamic characteristics of the protective material, the high-performance material optimal selection method suitable for the space debris protection structure is obtained, optimal selection of various protection materials can be achieved, the test cost for material selection is effectively reduced, and theoretical guidance can be provided for design and preparation of novel high-performance protection materials.