Optical remote sensing generally refers to the use of visible light,near infrared and short wave infrared sensors to detect objects on earth for digital imaging presentations by the specific spectral information.It is the earliest development of remote sensing,and also the most widely used technique for earth observation research and spatial information application.With the rapid development of optical imaging,electronics and space technology,new breakthroughs have been made in high spatial,spectral and temporal resolution remote sensing,which create unprecedented opportunities and bright future for optical remote sensing image processing and application technology.This paper firstly provide a brief review of optical remote sensing on the principles and progresses,and then focus on the characteristics,techniques and methods of optical remote sensing image processing,and introduce the applications of optical remote sensing in ecological environment,natural resources,national defense and so on.Finally several major directions and trends for future optical remote sensing are also forecasted here.