This paper analyzes and summarizes the technical development route of manned aircraft, the architecture of propulsion motors and powertrain systems. First, from the aspects of the aerodynamic layout, structural topology, power source and takeoff and landing form, six technical routes are classified. The technical indexes of passenger number, maximum takeoff weight, cruising speed, power and range are analyzed. Then, the technical parameters and application models of the installed or uninstalled aircraft propulsion motor are summarized. The development status of three-phase permanent magnet (PM) motor, multi-phase PM motor, megawatt turbine-driven motor/generator, high temperature superconducting (HTS) motor as advanced aviation propulsion motor is discussed according to the power class. Finally, the characteristics and key technologies of five kinds of the powertrain architectures are given and the future development direction of manned spacecraft is forecasted. This paper aims to serve as a reference for the overall aerodynamic layout design, power requirements, device selection and powertrain design of manned electric/hybrid spacecraft. © 2024 Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering. All rights reserved.