The characteristics and its application prospects of Hyper-Spectral Observation Satellite(GF-5)are presented in this paper,which will be the first satellite to achieve hyper-spectral observation in National Key Projects of High Resolution Earth Observation System in China.It was designed to run on sun-synchronous orbit.The orbit altitude was 705km and local time of ascending node was 13∶30.Six payloads were carried on it,which were Advanced Hyper-spectral Imager(AHSI), Visual and Infrared Multispectral Imager(VIMI),Greenhouse-gases Monitoring Instrument(GMI),Environmental trace gases Monitoring Instrument(EMI),Directional Polarization Camera (DPC)and Atmospheric Infrared Ultra-spectral Sounder(AIUS).By using them,the satellite has high resolution and hyperspectral band.The satellite can obtain the hyper-spectral remote sensing data from ultraviolet to long wave infrared bands.The various observation modes of hyper-spectral and multi-spectral earth imaging,occultation and nadir observation for atmosphere,multi-angular polarization observation and ocean sun-glint observation are adopted.The highest spectral resolution is 0.03cm~(-1) and on-board calibration is provided.The radiometric calibration accuracy is better than 5% and the spectral calibration accuracy is up to 0.008cm~(-1).The satellite has high spatial resolution of long wave infrared band,high code rate of data transmission and long life design.When in orbit,the satellite will play an important role in atmospheric environment monitoring,land and resources survey,and climate changing research.The typical applications include land surface environment comprehensive observation,monitoring of land surface local high temperature and heat island effect,mineral mapping,remote sensing monitoring of global distribution of atmosphere contents and air pollution monitoring of SO_2 and NO_2.