To investigate the effect of aluminum (Al) powder with different surface morphology on the burning rate of hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene(HTPB) propellant, based on the formulation of HTPB four component propellant, the morphologys of two kinds of Al (5-10 μm) powder were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and laser particle size distribution instrument, and the burning rate of HTPB propellant with different Al powders was measured by underwater acoustic emission method, and the pressure exponent was also calculated. Results show that the surface morphology of Al powder can be distinguished from adhered with Al spot particles and smooth, which have influence on the burning rate of HTPB propellant. At the low pressure stage (3-5 MPa), the burning rate of HTPB propellant increased by 1.33 mm·s^-1 and the pressure exponent is 0.36, when the surface morphology of Al powder adhered with Al spot particles. Correspondingly, it is 1.29 mm·s^-1 and 0.34, when the surface morphology of Al powder is smooth. At the high pressure stage (12-20 MPa), the burning rate of HTPB propellant increased by 4.47 mm·s^-1 and the pressure exponent is 0.67, when the surface morphology of Al powder adhered with Al spot particles, and it is 2.48 mm·s^-1 and 0.40, when the surface morphology of Al powder is smooth.